How Could You? Hall of Shame-Noel Buhay and Lawsuit 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 Sugar Grove, Illinois, “a jury late Friday afternoon convicted a 49-year-old Sugar Grove man of sexually assaulting a foster child 13 years ago.

Noel Buhay was found guilty of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Judge D.J. Tegeler revoked Buhay’s bond and ordered him held in Kane County Jail pending a sentencing hearing June 2.

Prosecutors said Buhay performed sex acts on the then-10-year-old boy who was placed into foster care with Buhay and his wife by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services during a five-month span between January and May 2004. The boy, with hope for a normal life complete with family vacations and stability, was taken advantage of by Buhay, who saw the child as a “perfect victim,” Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Schmidt said in her opening statement.

The boy, now a 23-year-old man, testified during the trial, which began Monday. Buhay’s defense team suggested in their opening remarks to jurors that prosecutors wouldn’t be able to provide direct evidence of the assaults, adding that testimony from the man would be “flawed.”

Prosecutors did not charge Buhay with assaulting the boy until 2014, only after Buhay was accused in 2013 of nearly 30 counts alleging he sexually abused and assaulted a second boy. Buhay contacted his former foster son during the latter investigation to tell him to stay quiet about his claim, according to prosecutors. The case involving the second boy remains pending.”

Sugar Grove man convicted of abusing foster child

[Chicago Tribune 3/17/17 by Dan Campana]

“A Filipino American from a far western suburb of this city has been sentenced June 15 to 45 years in prison for a sexually assaulting a foster child between January and May in 2004.

Noel F. Buhay, 49, of Sugar Grove, Illinois, was convicted in March by a jury for three felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child who was under 12 years old at the time of the crime which took place at Buhay’s house.

Assistant State Prosecutor Lori Schmidt said during her opening statement last March, “The boy, who hoped for a normal life complete with family vacations and stability, was taken advantage of by Buhay, who saw the child as a ‘perfect victim’”who was placed under the care of Buhay and his wife by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in early 2004.

The prosecutors of the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said in a press statement that Buhay has to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he will qualify for parole. However, Buhay’s trial and tribulations are far from over.

In 2013,  Buhay was accused of 27 counts alleging sexual abuse and assault of a second boy.  Buhay then contacted his former foster child to tell him to keep quiet about the allegations made against him.

It was only in 2014 that Kane County prosecutors charged Buhay on the crimes he committed against his foster child.  Buhay is due in court on August 24 for the charges involving his alleged second victim.”

Fil-Am gets 45 years for sexually abusing foster child, facing charges for 2nd victim

[Inquirer 6/23/17 by Mariano “Anong” Santos]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “A Kane County judge has awarded $4 million in damages to a man who was sexually abused by a Sugar Grove foster parent in 2004.

The attorney for the victim, identified as John Doe, said his client was vindicated by the ruling even though it will be difficult, if not impossible, to collect the entire amount from Noel F. Buhay, 50, who was convicted earlier this year.

As we came out of court, my client felt extremely vindicated that the legal system finally acknowledged the truthfulness of what he was saying, the anguish, pain and stress and anxiety and dysfunction he will suffer,” attorney George Acosta said.

Judge James Murphy awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages.

Acosta said the judgment came after a hearing Friday in which C. Dion Bush, a licensed clinical psychologist who had treated the victim, testified as to the effects the abuse will have such as PTSD.

The victim and one of the victim’s friends also testified before Murphy, Acosta said.

“(The award) was exactly what we asked for. We supported the request through witness testimony and documentary evidence,” Acosta said. “These (effects) are likely permanent.”

Acosta acknowledged it is unlikely Buhay, who declared bankruptcy in the early 2010s and whose home is in foreclosure, could pay the entire amount. He noted Buhay had a six-figure a year job before his arrest, and attorneys could look into his assets. The victim will use money from the judgment for treatment, counseling and education plans.

“There’s a couple avenues we’re looking into,” Acosta said. “Whether we collect 50 percent or 2 percent of it or none of it, a lot was accomplished with the award.”

A jury in March convicted Buhay of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child from January 2004 through May 2004. Charges that he sexually assaulted another child from March 2004 through December 2008 are pending.

Buhay is being held at the Kane County jail without bail and is due in court Oct. 13.”
$4 million award in lawsuit over sex abuse from Sugar Grove foster parent
[Daily Herald 9/25/17 by Harry Hitzman]