How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michael Joseph Hellen UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Fort Walton Beach, Florida, house parent Michael Joseph Hellen,59, “is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim 12 years or older but under 16.”
He was a house parent at Children in Crisis.
A sheriff’s deputy responded to the non-profit facility at … that houses foster children at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday after receiving a report from Susan Hellen, the suspect’s wife.
According to OCSO, one of the children living in the residence where the Hellens were house parents told one of her friends that Michael Hellen had fondled her while the two were sitting on a sofa watching a movie.
Susan Hellen reportedly heard about the allegation and confronted her husband. According to the Sheriff’s Office report, Michael Hellen confessed and told his wife that he had apologized to the victim and begged for forgiveness.
During the initial investigation, Michael Hellen reportedly confessed to the deputy that he had intentionally touched the victim’s breasts and genital area. According to the OCSO report, the suspect said he asked the victim if she was OK, and he told the deputy, “I thought she had said yes.”
“This remains an active investigation,” Sheriff Larry Ashley said. “It is not only a horrific crime, but it is especially shocking that it took place at the Children in Crisis facility, where so many wonderful people have worked tirelessly for many years to help hundreds of foster children in need.
“The actions of one individual should not reflect on the good deeds of an entire organization.”
Ashley said OCSO is not aware of additional victims at this time, but the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about the case should call 651-7400.
According to Ken Hair, president and CEO of Children in Crisis, there was nothing in Michael Hellen’s background check to indicate any history of child molestation or any other sexual offenses.
“Not even a hint,” Hair said. “We are shocked and devastated by this.”
Hair said the victim was immediately transferred to another house on the CIC campus, and that Susan Hellen has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
“We are cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children and Families in their investigation, and we will leave no stone unturned in our internal investigation,” Hair said. “The most important thing right now is the child.”
Hair asked for the community’s prayers as the investigation continues.
“We have worked so hard over the years to provide a safe home for more than 600 children,” he said. “We need the community’s support to continue to do so.””
CIC employee charged with child molestation [NWF Daily News 12/22/15 by Kelly Humphrey]
He was arrested “on December 19 after getting a report that Hellen had fondled a child. The victim had initially reported the abuse to a friend. Hellen admitted to the crime.
“This remains an active investigation,” said Sheriff Larry Ashley. “It is a not only a horrific crime, but it is especially shocking that it took place at the Children in Crisis facility, where so many wonderful people have worked tirelessly for many years to help hundreds of foster children in need,” said Sheriff Larry Ashley. “The actions of one individual should not reflect on the good deeds of an entire organization. The Director and staff are actively assisting in our investigation. The OCSO is not aware of additional victims at this time, but the investigation is continuing and we encourage anyone with information to come forward by contacting us at 651-7400.”
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update: “Former Children In Crisis house parent Michael Joseph Hellen has been charged with sexually violating a second young girl in his care.
Hellen was initially charged Dec. 19 with lewd or lascivious molestation of a child between the ages of 12 and 16.
He confessed to fondling a girl in the breast and genital area while they were seated on a sofa watching a movie, an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office report said.
A news release issued Wednesday said Hellen had been taken into custody Tuesday night on a second charge.
The second victim told investigators Hellen had fondled her bare breasts while “tickling” her. She said the groping had taken place, “at least twice in the morning before school,” an arrest report said.
The report said Hellen touched his victim in a bedroom after shutting the door.
“The victim stated that during one of the touching incidents someone opened the room door, causing M. Hellen to jump back away from the victim and act like nothing had happened,” the report said.
Hellen faces a second charge of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child between the ages of 12 and 16, according to the arrest report.
The second warrant was served at a residence on Crystal Beach Drive in Destin, the Sheriff’s Office news release said.
“It’s just terrible,” Children in Crisis president and CEO Ken Hair said of the second arrest.
“We’re cooperating completely with the investigation going on, with the Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Children and Families,” Hair said.
Hair said the CIC is conducting its own internal investigation following the Hellen arrest.
“Our focus is twofold – that (incident) and that the children are OK,” Hair said.
Herron, 59, and his wife had eight children between the ages of 6 and 14 in their care before the first arrest, Hair said. The group lived in the “neighborhood of foster homes” built around the CIC center on Luke’s Way in Fort Walton Beach.
Herron’s wife, Kim Hellen, told deputies that her husband had apologized to the victims “after he had touched them,” the arrest report said.
“Mr. Hellen even admitted to his wife that he touched both female victims,” the report said.”
CIC parent faces second charge of sexually violating child [NWF Daily News 12/30/15 by Tom McLaughlin]
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