How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jathan Lee Patterson

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 Muncie, Indiana, foster parent Jathan Lee Patterson,42, “has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing two children who were placed in his care.”

“Jathan Lee Patterson, 42, had pleaded guilty to two counts of child molesting, a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison.

Muncie police arrested Patterson in December 2018 after being told by Department of Child Services officials that an 8-year-old boy reported Patterson had fondled him and also masturbated in his presence.

That child reported another of Patterson’s foster children, a 7-year-old boy, had been abused in a similar manner.

Patterson — sentenced last week by Delaware Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick — had signed a plea agreement in the case in January.

“Even now, (Patterson) can’t admit the seriousness of his crimes,” Feick wrote in his sentencing order.”

“The judge said Patterson “rationalized that he was attempting to help the victims in the activities he conducted.”

Feick said the victims in the case were “particularly vulnerable,” in part due to earlier abuse.

When interviewed by police, Patterson admitted to “physically demonstrating how to masturbate” to the children, and touching their genitalia while showing them how to perform the act “properly.””

“A police report reflected a total of six children were removed from Patterson’s home.

The deal called for dismissal of four other charges pending against the Muncie man — two counts of vicarious sexual gratification, dissemination of matter harmful to minors and performance before a minor that is harmful to a minor.

Patterson — given credit for one day spent in the Delaware County jail following his arrest — will be required, after his release from prison, to register with local authorities as a sex offender for the rest of his life.”

Muncie Man Gets 8 Years Molesting Foster Kids
[Muncie Star Press 6/29/2020 by Douglas Walker]

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