How Could You? Hall of Shame-Heidi Robinson

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 Lehi, Utah, adoptive mother Heidi L. Robinson, 38, has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for abuse of her two adopted children.

She “will be monitored by GPS and must complete anger management and parenting skills courses as part of her probation.

Lehi mother who abused adopted kids sentenced
[The Salt Lake Tribune 2/16/12 by Aaron Falk]

Previous Stories:

From Lehi mother accused of child abuse [Daily Herald 2/3/11], Heidi was arrested on February 2, 2011 “for allegedly physically and emotionally abusing her daughter.

Heidi Robinson was booked into jail after the girl described the abuse during an interview. The girl said that Robinson slapped her, hit her with a closed fist and choked her, according to a police affidavit. The girl also reportedly said that Robinson accused her of being responsible for her father’s incarceration.

Police reports say the girl told investigators that Robinson abused her younger brother as well.
After her arrest, Robinson allegedly admitted to hitting the girl, choking her once, and choking the girl’s younger brother 10 to 20 times, according to the affidavit. The two children have been removed from Robinson’s custody.”

From Lehi woman accused of abusing adopted children [The Salt Lake Tribune 7/5/11 by Melinda Rogers], “Heidi L. Robinson, 38, was charged in 4th District Court on June 28 with five counts of second-degree felony child abuse in connection with abuse of her adopted daughter and son over a three-year period.

From Lehi mother pleads guilty to misdemeanor child abuse [Daily Herald 1/4/12 by Jim Dalrymple],

“Heidi Robinson was the last in a long list of people to be called into the middle of a courtroom Tuesday morning, so when she pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors the room was virtually empty.

Robinson pleaded guilty to two class A misdemeanors for child abuse. The charges were reduced from five second-degree felonies for inflicting serious physical injury on a child intentionally.

Robinson originally was arrested in February, after investigators alleged that she had physically and emotionally abused her daughter. According to a police report, the girl said Robinson slapped her, hit her with a closed fist and choked her. The girl also reportedly said Robinson accused her of being responsible for her father’s incarceration. The report states the girl told investigators that Robinson abused her younger brother as well.

Prosecutor Donna Kelly said Tuesday that the state believed the children were being abused by their father, and that Heidi Robinson did not prevent the abuse.

Heidi Robinson’s attorney, Mark Ethington, said Tuesday that he and Robinson disputed the claims of physical abuse. Ethington went on to say that Tuesday’s plea bargain only required Robinson to admit to yelling at the children and making degrading remarks that could have caused emotional harm.

Robinson’s children remain in foster care, where Kelly said they are not doing well. Kelly said she believes that the Division of Child and Family Services is working to reunite the children with Robinson. Ethington added that Robinson hopes to get her children back.

Robinson could face up to a year in jail for each misdemeanor conviction, but prosecutors have agreed to recommend that Robinson spend any potential jail time on alternative means of supervision, such as ankle monitoring or work release. Robinson will be sentenced Jan. 31.”

REFORM Puzzle Piece

This case may be a stepparent adoption. It is unclear if the father is an adoptive father. The case changed dramatically over the past year from slapping, choking and hitting to just yelling and now blaming the incarcerated father. Supposedly she admitted in an affidavit to” hitting the girl, choking her once, and choking the girl’s younger brother 10 to 20 times.”  It is concerning that the children are not doing well but they will be reunited with this woman who “could have caused severe emotional harm”. It sounds like they are experiencing severe emotional harm. This seems like a lenient sentence compared to what we see biological parents in the same circumstance go through.