How Could You? Hall of Shame-Bernie and Melissa Harmon 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 Taswell, Indiana, adoptive parents Bernie Harmon, 46, and Melissa Harmon have been arrested on 44 felonies against four children adopted from foster care.

“We’ve learned the four victims at one time were foster children of Bernie and Melissa Harmon until they legally adopted them.

In a house on Brown Cemetery Road, investigators believe a nightmare unfolded. Indiana State Police started investigating the Harmon’s in March after getting a tip about possible neglect and abuse. Police arrested the husband and wife at their home last week.

Bernie and Melissa Harmon remain locked up at the Crawford County Jail. Bernie is charged with 32 felonies. Melissa with 12 felonies.

The 46-year-old father is accused of child molestation, sexual misconduct with a minor, vicarious sexual gratification and battery. His wife, a contracted Crawford County school bus driver, is charged with 12 counts of neglect.

Friday was the first day of classes for Crawford County Community Schools. Superintendent Mark Eastridge says Melissa will no longer be driving for the district.

WAVE 3 News has also learned at one time, Bernie was also a bus driver.

The Harmon’s adult son did not want to speak about the serious allegations against his parents.

At this time it’s not clear how long the alleged abuse was going on.

Bernie Harmon is being held on $50,000 full cash bond. Melissa Harmon is being held on $20,000 full cash. The children are now in the custody of the state.”

Couple arrested for sexual abuse, neglect of children

[Wave 3 8/2/13 by Katie Bauer]

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update: “A Scott County, Indiana man claims he and his siblings suffered abuse at the hands of a Crawford County couple now behind bars.

With his former foster parents behind bars, Cory Neace, 20, spoke out Monday about the alleged verbal and physical abuse he and his two younger sisters endured at the hands of Bernie and Melissa Harmon.

We got our hind-ends whipped with a wooden paddle,” said Neace. “We got hit and whipped with a small, little extension cord.”

According to Neace, the Harmons first took he and his sisters into their care in 2005 as foster children. He claimed it wasn’t until the couple adopted the trio in 2007 that the abuse began.

“They had bruises all over their legs,” began Neace, “all up here near their thighs.”

Neace claimed that while in the Harmons care, the children were only fed bologna sandwiches and often locked out of the home.

“Whenever they’d go somewhere, they’d leave us outside until they came back,” said Neace.

Neace, who admitted to running away from the Harmon household twice, said he was returned to the couple’s care both times. It was only after he turned 18 that he left the system, returning to live with his biological mother Susan Wise.

“I think they should be locked under the jail,” said Wise. “I don’t think they should be able to get out and have a life because my girls, their life is ruined now.”

The family is now working to regain contact with the two girls, who Wise claims are now 15 and 16 years-old. Neace said once he turns 21, he hopes to gain custody of his sisters.

Bernie and Melissa Harmon remain behind bars at the Crawford County Jail. Bernie Harmon is charged with 32 felonies including child molestation, sexual misconduct with a minor, vicarious sexual gratification and battery. Melissa Harmon is charged with 12 felony counts of neglect.”

Alleged Crawford Co. foster family abuse victim breaks silence

[WAVE 3 8/5/13 by Cedra Mayfield]

Update 2: “A Crawford County grand jury indictment gave some indication of what the four adopted children of Bernie and Melissa Harmon said they lived through while in their care.

Couple accused sexual, physical abuse of children kept in attic

[WAVE3 8/7/13 by Katie Bauer]