How Could You? Hall of Shame-Sioux City Foster Parents 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 Sioux City, Iowa, Foster father and Sioux county deputy Sheriff Caleb and his wife Jill “face criminal charges for allegedly failing to stop, and report, sexual abuse committed by a child in their care.”

“Thursday, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation filed seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, and one count of False Report to Law Enforcement against Caleb and Jill Haverdink, of Maurice.

According to the complaint and affidavits, DCI investigators believe the Haverdinks had prior knowledge of a child in their care committing numerous acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children. DCI claims the Haverdinks took no meaningful action to stop the alleged abuse or protect the children under their care.

After DCI finished its criminal investigation, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office did an internal investigation, which found Deputy Caleb Haverdink’s conduct was contrary to the mission of the sheriff’s office. Haverdink was fired on February 14th.

The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office released a statement which said “The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office wants to assure the public that their officers are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The charges are deeply troubling and contrary to the values of the Sheriff’s Office. Any time an officer exhibits any level of misconduct, it will be dealt with swiftly. As such, Haverdink’s employment was terminated based solely upon his off-duty conduct which was contrary to established policies and that which brought reproach upon himself and our agency. This isolated incident is not representative of the dedicated men and women who serve with the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office with honor and integrity every day. It is disappointing when someone from within law enforcement conducts themselves in a manner which brings reproach upon our agency and inhibits their own ability to serve the community.””

Sioux County, IA foster parents face neglect charges after DCI investigation
[KTIV 2/22/24]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “were found not guilty of seven counts of child neglect and other charges by a jury Tuesday.

All charges filed against former Sioux County deputy, Caleb Haverdink and his wife, Jill of Maurice, Iowa were returned as not guilty by a jury on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in Sioux County District Court, according to documents.

As reported, DCI Investigators filed several charges against the Sioux County couple on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. These charges included seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, and one count of reporting falsely to law enforcement.

DCI investigators, at the time, believed the Haverdinks had previous knowledge that a child, in their care, committed multiple acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children who were also under their care.

At the time the charges were filed, the Haverdinks were serving as foster parents. The division also claimed the Haverdinks took no action to protect the children or stop the action from taking place under their care.

After the division’s investigation by DCI, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office performed its own investigation. The investigation found the former deputy’s conduct to be contrary to the mission of the sheriff’s office and Haverdink was fired Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.”
Jury returns verdict in Northwest Iowa foster parent’s child neglect case
[KTLv 2/19/25 by Kathryn Vlaanderen]