How Could You? Hall of Shame-Crystal Kay Miner

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 Saginaw County, Michigan, a “former employee of a foster-care and treatment facility in Saginaw County’s Thomas Township is accused of sexual misconduct with a resident there.

Prosecutors allege 32-year-old Crystal Kay Miner, of Midland, had “an inappropriate relationship” with a 17-year-old resident of Holy Cross Children’s Services, located at…River Road.

While the age of consent for sexual activity in Michigan is 16, state law prohibits child care employees from having sexual contact with people under their care, even if such a person is older than 16.

Thomas Township Police Chief Al Fong said a program coordinator at Holy Cross reported the alleged misconduct to his department on April 3.[2020]

Miner on June 9 was arraigned in Saginaw County District Court on single counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct-foster care and distributing sexually explicit material to a minor. Both charges are punishable by up to two years’ incarceration.

The second charge stems from prosecutors alleging Miner provided pornographic images from a magazine to a 16-year-old male at the facility.

Miner is free on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond

Miner is represented by defense attorney James F. Gust, who declined to comment on the case when contacted by MLive-The Saginaw News.

Holy Cross hired Miner as a treatment specialist in June 2017, said Kassie Kretzschmar, chief marketing and communications officer for Holy Cross Services. The agency suspended Miner in April when staff suspected possible inappropriate behaviors and immediately alerted police, Kretzschmar said.

Miner is to appear in court for a preliminary examination on Feb. 18.

Miner is the second Holy Cross employee to have faced sexual misconduct allegations in recent years.

Holy Cross terminated Miner’s employment in June 2020.

“Obviously, we do not condone this type of behavior,” Kretzschmar said. “We take it very seriously and have zero tolerance.”

Holy Cross Children’s Services is a faith-based facility that treats mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, and provides children’s services. Although the facility, which is one of many across the state, has Catholic roots, it is not operated or overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. Holy Cross does rent the Thomas Township property from the Diocese, however.”

Midland woman accused of sexual misconduct with teen at foster-care and treatment facility

[Mlive 1/24/21 by Cole Waterman]

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