How Could You? Hall of Shame-Leslie Sullivan 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 Norfolk, Nebraska, Unnamed Adoptive Father,Leslie Sullivan, 59,”has been ordered to stand trial for soliciting sex from a foster child he adopted.”
“The 59-year-old man is accused of offering $100 and other favors in exchange for being allowed to sexually fondle a boy, then 17, he had adopted after serving as the boy’s foster parent.
The man — whose name is not being published to protect the identity of the teen — has pleaded not guilty to soliciting prostitution from a person under age 18. If convicted on the felony charge, he could face up to two years in prison and 12 months post-release supervision, or a $10,000 fine, or all.
A trial has been scheduled for March 8 in Madison County District Court.
According to court records, the Norfolk man has been a foster parent to at least 13 boys since the 1990s. A court document from 2008 indicated that he was employed by Boys and Girls Home of Nebraska.
Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said the case points to a need for more vigorous review of people who are allowed to foster children.
The teen was placed under temporary custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services after telling police that he had been assaulted in April 2015. Now 18, he lives independently, Smith said.
Ron Temple, a Norfolk attorney defending the accused man, did not respond to calls seeking comment.
Russ Reno, a spokesman for Health and Human Services, confirmed that the man’s home was licensed by the state for foster care. He said that when the department hears of a serious criminal charge, it will put a hold on placements at such locations pending the resolution of the allegations.
Reno said prospective foster parents are put through a “battery” of background checks, including checks of criminal history and sex-offender registries.”
Norfolk foster parent accused of soliciting sex from boy he adopted [Omaha.com 2/20/16 by Paul Hammel]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update: “A longtime foster parent in Norfolk has pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a foster son he adopted.
The 59-year-old man — whose name is not being published to protect the identity of the teen — entered the plea Monday morning in Madison County District Court.
In exchange for his plea, a more serious felony charge of child abuse was dropped. He faces up to five years in prison for the Class IV felony.
The man was accused of offering his then-17-year-old adopted son $100 and other favors in exchange for being allowed to sexually fondle him.
Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said that because the man has no previous criminal record and because new state sentencing laws come with a presumption of probation, he expects the man to be sentenced to probation instead of prison.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled on April 14.
Smith said that Norfolk police interviewed other foster children who had been cared for by the man and had not uncovered similar complaints of abuse.
According to court records, the Norfolk man had been a foster parent to at least 13 boys since the 1990s. A court document from 2008 indicated that he was employed by Boys and Girls Home of Nebraska. Most recently he was employed at Good Life Counseling in Norfolk.
The boy’s biological mother said Monday that the boy still has nightmares over the abuse but agreed to the plea bargain because he just wanted the case “over with.”
She said that the man deserves prison time and should never work with, or foster, children again.
Ron Temple, a Norfolk attorney defending the accused man, did not immediately respond to a message left at his office.
Russ Reno, a spokesman for Health and Human Services, said Monday that since the man has pleaded guilty, the department has begun the process to revoke his license as a foster care provider.”
Norfolk foster dad pleads guilty to soliciting sex from adopted son [Omaha.com 3/1/16 by Paul Hammel]
Update 2:”Work has begun to ensure that the Norfolk man who pleaded guilty Monday to soliciting a minor will never be able to serve as a foster parent again in Nebraska.
Russ Reno, a spokesman for Nebraska Health and Human Services, said that since 59-year-old Leslie Sullivan pleaded guilty, the department has begun the process to revoke his license as a foster care provider.
Sullivan entered the plea as part of an agreement with the Madison County Attorney’s office that resulted in a child abuse charge against him being dismissed.
The solicitation charge involves a child under 18 placed in Sullivan’s care by the state.
According to court records, the Norfolk man had been a foster parent to at least 13 boys since the 1990s. A court document from 2008 indicated that he was employed by Boys and Girls Home of Nebraska. Most recently, he worked at Good Life Counseling in Norfolk.
The boy’s biological mother said Monday that the boy still has nightmares over the abuse, but agreed to the plea bargain because he just wanted the case “over with.”
She said that the man deserves prison time and should never work with, or foster, children again.
Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said that because Sullivan has no previous criminal record and because new state sentencing laws come with a presumption of probation, he expects the man to be sentenced to probation instead of prison.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 14.
Smith said that Norfolk police had interviewed other foster children who had been cared for by the man, and had not uncovered similar complaints of abuse.
During a court appearance Monday in Madison, Sullivan was released on a personal recognizance bond of $5,000. Sullivan faces up to five years in prison and a $1,000 fine on the solicitation charge.
But Smith said Sullivan likely would receive a sentence of probation, which would reflect the desire of the victim in the case. Sullivan’s lack of prior criminal history also was a factor in the decision to seek a plea agreement, Smith said.”
Norfolkan to have his foster care license revoked [Norfolk Daily News 3/1/16 ]
Update 3:“A longtime foster parent in Norfolk will serve 90 days in jail and 42 months probation for soliciting sex from a foster son he had adopted.
The 59-year-old man agreed to a plea deal in February and was sentenced recently by Madison County District Judge James Kube.
The perpetrator’s name is not being published to protect the identity of his victim, who was 17 at the time.
The man, who had been a foster parent for more than a dozen boys, was accused of offering his adopted son $100 and other favors in exchange for being allowed to sexually fondle him.
The man’s license to be a foster care provider was revoked on April 18, according to a spokesman with the Nebraska Department of Heath and Human Services.”
Norfolk foster parent to serve 90 days in jail for soliciting sex from adopted son [Omaha.com 5/11/16 by Paul Hammel]
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