How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jackie Lee Pittman 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 Detroit, Michigan, foster and adoptive parent Jackie Lee Pittman,61, “is accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said today in a news release.”

He ” formerly sat on the Macomb County Adoption Board.”

“Jackie Lee Pittman, 61, of Macomb Township is charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which are 15-year felonies, he said in the release. Pittman is licensed in Michigan to be a foster parent, but no foster children are currently housed with Pittman, according to the release.

The charges stem from an incident that is to have occurred July 28. No further details about the incident, including where it occurred or the age or gender of the minor, were in the release. A message was left for Smith.

“We owe so much to the service and sacrifice of the many dedicated Michigan foster parents, who do such a tremendous job providing a secure home to our most vulnerable children,” he said in the release. “These acts violate that sacred trust. My office stands with the great majority of foster workers who dedicate their lives to protect young people from harm. They will be the first to condemn this perversion of duty.”

Pittman is being held in the county jail, according to jail records, and is to be arraigned at 1 p.m. today in 41-A District Court in Shelby Township.”

Foster parent charged with inappropriate sexual conduct with minor[Detroit Free Press 8/26/16 by Christina Hall]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:” He’s supposed to be an advocate for vulnerable kids, serving on the Macomb County Adoption Board and fostering children in his home for years.

But now the 61-year old man is charged with sexually abusing one of his adopted children.

With his family unable to hold in tears, 61-year-old Jackie Lee Pittman stands before a judge in Shelby Township Friday, accused of having sex with one of his foster children.

Judge: “Do you understand the charges against you sir?”

“Yes I do,” Pittman said in court.

Pittman, of Macomb Township, and previous Macomb County Adoption Board member, is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree — both 15-year felonies.

He’s accused of having sexual intercourse with his 16-year-old adopted daughter last month.

Judge: “You have any criminal history at all?”

“No sir,” Pittman said. “This is the first thing ever supposedly that I’ve ever done.”

A family member tells FOX 2 that Pittman has fostered five children with his wife over the last 10 years and could be violent and controlling at times. But they never imagined this. Child Protective Services has investigated him twice, but nothing ever came of it.

Judge: “Are you married or single?”

“My wife just passed away in April,” he said.

Her death is the reason some family members say is why Pittman may be unstable. His wife died of cancer April 26. His family says before that, Pittman was a hard worker, volunteer and father.

“They’ve taken foster care children in their home to care for them,” said sister Carolyn Mullins. “And I think he’s temporarily lost his mind.”

Pittman’s family says his two adopted children — including that alleged victim — are no longer living with him, but are not commenting any further.

As Pittman, is taken back to jail.

Right now Pittman is being held on a $25,000 cash bond. He’s due back in court September 6th. He’s been ordered to have no contact with his foster child.”

Man who fostered at-risk children, charged for sexual abuse[Fox2 Detroit 8/26/16]

Update2:A look at the Macomb Township records shows that he has a trial on 8/15/17.

Update 3: “A 62-year-old Macomb Township former foster father who molested a juvenile female relative received a sentence of more than four-years in prison this week.

Jackie Lee Pittman was sentenced Tuesday to 50 months to 15 years behind bars, at the top of the guideline range, after he was convicted of two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for molesting the underage girl in July 2016 following an August trial in Macomb County Circuit Court. His advisory sentencing guideline range was 30 to 50 months.

Judge Diane Druzinski noted Pittman threatened the girl with non-assaultive retaliation if she went to police after the incidents.

“(The) judge said during her sentencing that was one of the cruelest things she has ever heard, and the victim was courageous in coming forward and that she did a good job,” said Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Suzanna Shkreli.

The victim, who testified at the trial, wrote a letter about the case that was read in court by a victim advocate, Shkreli said.

The judge denied Pittman’s request to adjourn the sentencing.

Pittman has been free after posting a bond and was placed on a tether upon his Aug. 18 conviction. He was a member of the Macomb Adoption Board and along with his late wife, Joyce, was a foster parent to 13 children over 10 years.

The incidents occurred about three months after his wife died.”

Former foster father to serve four years for molesting girl

[Macomb Daily 9/28/17 by Jameson Cook]