How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michael Moore and Berlin Baldwin

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 Florissant, Missouri, foster parents Michael Moore, 63, and Berlin Baldwin,43, “are facing charges after Florissant police said they sexually abused the children they were fostering for years.

Michael Moore, 63, and Berlin Baldwin, 43, were each charged with multiple counts of sodomy and statutory sodomy in connection with alleged abuse between November 2020 and January 2025.

Florissant Police Chief Tim Fagan said in November, their department initiated an investigation after receiving a referral from the St. Louis County Children’s Division regarding allegations of sexual abuse.

Detectives found four male victims between the ages of 8 and 15 who said Moore and Baldwin sexually assaulted them in their Florissant home on Gateswood Drive.

“These are people that were at a vulnerable time in their life and they were looking for a safe space and they were taken advantage of, and I think that’s the real tragedy here, among other things.” Fagan shared, “I think any time you have a case like this where there are multiple victims, we’re always concerned that there could be more people out there.”

Both men were taken into custody this week and were charged with seven counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and two counts of second-degree sodomy.”

“A spokesperson with Florissant police said in 2022, they were called to that same home for a similar allegation, but the case was reviewed with the prosecutor’s office and insufficient information was found at the time.

As this case continues, other potential victims can act now.

St. Louis County prosecutor Melissa Price Smith shared, “We want victims to know, your voice matters and when you come forward, you will not be in this alone.”

Both men are being held on $750,000, cash-only bonds.

On Wednesday, both men made their first court appearance. They’ll be back in court Feb. 11 for a bond reduction hearing.”

Florissant foster parents accused of abusing their foster children for years
[KSDK 2/4/26 by Sam Clancy and Justina Coronel]

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