How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jeff and Tammy Sawtelle 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 Park Hills, Missouri, foster parents Jeff and Tammy Sawtelle “is facing charges tied to accusations of neglect and physical and sexual abuse of children dating back more than a decade.

Last month, a St. Francois County grand jury approved a superseding indictment charging Jeff and Tammi Sawtelle with multiple felonies. Both were initially indicted in March and April 2022, respectively, but a spokeswoman for the county prosecutor’s office said more victims came forward, and new charges were added.

The crimes occurred between January 2010 and December 2021, according to the indictment. And nearly all the incidents happened in the couple’s home.

Jeff Sawtelle, 55, was charged with six counts of first-degree child molestation, five counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of forcible rape, one count of first-degree statutory rape or attempted rape of a person less than 12 years of age, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of first-degree assault – serious physical injury or special victim, one count of first-degree sexual misconduct, one count of third-degree child molestation of a person less than 14 years of age, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of abuse or neglect of a child not involving sexual contact, and one count of abuse or neglect of a child involving sexual contact.

Prosecutors charged Tammi Sawtelle, 56, with three different counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of first-degree assault – serious physical injury or special victim, five different counts of abuse or neglect of a child not involving sexual contact, and one count of abuse or neglect of a child involving sexual contact.

Jeff Sawtelle is due in court for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 12. Tammi Sawtelle will be in court on Jan. 27 for her own pre-trial hearing.”

St. Francois County foster parents indicted on sexual, physical abuse charges
[Fox 2 1/9/2023 by Kevin S. Held]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “Park Hills foster parents accused of abusing several children in their care get two very different sentences.

In 2022, Tammi Sawtelle was indicted on several charges, including three different counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of first-degree assault – serious physical injury or special victim, five different counts of abuse or neglect of a child not involving sexual contact, and one count of abuse or neglect of a child involving sexual contact.

Her husband, Jeff Sawtelle, was charged with six counts of first-degree child molestation, five counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of forcible rape, one count of first-degree statutory rape or attempted rape of a person less than 12 years of age, one count of second-degree child molestation, one count of first-degree assault – serious physical injury or special victim, one count of first-degree sexual misconduct, one count of third-degree child molestation of a person less than 14 years of age, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of abuse or neglect of a child not involving sexual contact, and one count of abuse or neglect of a child involving sexual contact.

But not all of those charges stuck. The majority of the original charges against both suspects were dismissed over time.

Jeffrey Sawtelle’s attorney, Matthew Mueller, said prosecutors dismissed most of the foster-child-related charges against Jeffrey Sawtelle.

“For me it is quite telling that at the last minute, most of the charges got dismissed,” he said.

Still, two separate cases involving a child relative resulted in Jeffrey Sawtelle receiving two life sentences and two additional 50-year sentences, all to run consecutively. Mueller filed an appeal in both of those cases. McWilliams said she personally knows one of the victims.

“I thought with him getting as much as he did, she was going to see some kind of sentence behind bars, at least a year or so,” she said of her mother.

That didn’t happen. On Monday, Tammi Sawtelle reached a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. All abuse or neglect charges were dropped. She was sentenced to 189 days in jail.

Mueller said the cases against the husband and wife were fundamentally different.

“Tammi was never charged with herself committing sex crimes against children,” he said. “She was charged with knowing about it, or should’ve known about it, but not doing anything about it.”

Prosecutors said the outcome was guided by the wishes of the victims. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Marlo Lamb said, “We have to meet our victims where they are. In some cases, we lose contact with people. In other cases, they are in a better place.”

Lamb said Jeffrey Sawtelle and Tammi Sawtelle were facing very different charges and she believes all of the cases were brought to an appropriate conclusion.”

Park Hills foster parents get very different punishments for child abuse

[Fox 2 11/25/26 by Chad Mira]