How Could You? Hall of Shame-Onneka Ryan

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 Glendale, Arizona, group home worker, Onneka Ryan, 29,”was arrested … for the alleged sexual assault of a teenage resident at her Glendale residence.

Glendale police arrested 29-year-old Onneka Ryan on charges of sexual conduct with a minor, luring a minor for sexual exploitation, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to court documents.

Police say a 15-year-old boy told investigators that Ryan, an employee at a Phoenix-area group home, sexually assaulted him at her apartment near 67th and Peoria avenues in October 2025.

According to court documents, the teen gave detectives a detailed account of the alleged encounters, including when they happened. He also told investigators that Ryan instructed him on how to leave the group home without drawing attention so she could pick him up.

He provided authorities with video of the assault, which showed a woman who appeared to be Ryan with a matching tattoo on her calf.

The teen also alleged that Ryan took him and other child residents to a park, where they smoked marijuana and drank alcohol.

Police said GPS data, text messages and video evidence supported his allegations.

After her arrest, Ryan told detectives that her duties at the home included caring for children, driving them with supervisor approval, cooking for them, and handling discipline and documentation.

She was suspended after the accusations came to light.

Ryan allegedly denied taking the children anywhere not approved by the group home, and told police she did not sexually assault the teen. After being told there was a video, she asked for an attorney.

Ryan was booked into jail, where her bond was set at $100,000.”

Group home worker accused of sexually assaulting teen resident at Glendale apartment
[AZ Family 4/13/26 by Brian Petersheim Jr.]

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