How Could You? Hall of Shame-Fred Joseph Nelson

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 Springfield, Missouri, foster and adoptive father, Fred Joseph Nelson, 71, was “convicted of five counts of child molestation in the first degree, three counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree, and one count of attempted statutory rape in the first degree, on Wednesday, May 6, in Judge Jerry Harmison’s courtroom.”

“It took a Greene County jury four hours of deliberation to find a Springfield man guilty of nine felony sex offenses against children — young girls he and his now-ex-wife had taken in as foster children and later adopted.”

“The jury found him not guilty of three counts of felony sex offenses.

The case originated in September 2020, when Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence regarding allegations of past sexual abuse. Three of Nelson’s daughters disclosed that they had been sexually abused by Nelson over a period of years when they were children, beginning when each was under 14 years old. The abuse occurred at family residences in Greene County between 2003 and 2010.

In her closing arguments Wednesday, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Fax told the jury Nelson had “underestimated a lot of things.”

Prosecutor: ‘Truth always comes to light’

“He underestimated that the truth eventually always comes to light. As much as he worked to conceal, hide and manipulate his daughters and his family, the truth always comes to light,” Fax said. “Most of all, and most significantly, he underestimated (the three daughters who testified against him). He assumed they would not be able to tell because of who he was to them.”

Fax told the jury that Nelson assumed his victims would not be believed if they ever disclosed the abuse.

“He underestimated that, after all this time they would have the strength or ability to come forward and speak the truth,” Fax said, “that there would come a day when they — collectively, here in this courtroom — would tell all of you what happened.

“He underestimated the fact that these grown women would be able to stand up for the child versions of themselves,” Fax said.

Two of the accusers have Fragile X

Two of the daughters who testified against Nelson were biological sisters who have Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment. One of these now-adult women also had mental health struggles including schizophrenia. On the stand, some of her testimony contradicted her previous statements. The jury found Nelson not guilty of the two charges stemming from her allegations of sexual abuse.

In her closing, Fax reminded the jury of the recorded phone call they heard during the trial. The recorded conversation was between Nelson and his then wife, who called him after she learned of the allegations in 2020. Unbeknownst to Nelson, an investigator was with his wife and that call was recorded.”[Doh!]

Springfield man convicted of sexually abusing two children

[Springfield Daily Citizen 5/7/26 by Jackie Rehwald]

REFORM Puzzle Piece