How Could You? Hall of Shame-Russell S. Morstorf

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 Auburn, Kansas, in November 2016, foster father Russell S. Morstorf “was charged with seven felony sex offenses against a juvenile that was 14 or 15 years old, according to court records.”

“Six felonies, including criminal sodomy with a child, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said additional evidence came to light which made proceeding on all of the charges untenable.

“Given these circumstances, we pursued an agreement which provided for some measure of victim protection and offender accountability,” Kagay said. “This agreement was entered into with the support of the victim.”

The abuse occurred in July and August of 2016, the criminal complaint indicated.

Morstorf’s presumptive sentence will include registering as a sex offender and probation.

The grandfather of the victim said he is disappointed Morstorf won’t face prison time. The Capital-Journal doesn’t identify victims of sex-related crimes and isn’t naming the grandfather because doing so would indirectly identify the victim.

The grandfather also said that while the abuse took place when the girl was under Kansas Department of Children and Families supervision, he doesn’t hold the agency responsible.

DCF spokeswoman Theresa Freed said the agency takes numerous steps to ensure children are being placed in safe environments.

“DCF conducts thorough background checks on all potential foster parents for all states where the potential foster parent lived,” Freed said. “Background checks include name checks, fingerprints and child abuse and neglect registry checks. DCF checks the background by name of foster homes on an annual basis, and DCF utilizes a service, Rap Back, that will notify DCF of any arrest or criminal charges in real time.”

Children are placed in respite care anytime DCF learns a child’s safety may be at risk, Freed added.

DCF has been sharply criticized for placing juveniles in unsafe conditions that led to abuse or death. The Kansas Legislature formed the bipartisan Child Welfare System Task Force in 2017 amid controversy about DCF’s supervision of thousands of children removed from homes.

Morstorf will be sentenced July 13.”

Auburn foster father pleads guilty to sex offense against juvenile

[The Topeka Capitol-Journal 5/6/18 by Katie Moore]

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