How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jerrett Hetrick UPDATED and Lawsuit

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 Portland, Oregon,  foster parent Jerrett Hetrick ,32, “is facing multiple sex abuse charges involving a teen that he and his wife cared for, according to authorities.”

“The victim told investigators the abuse happened at Hetrick’s Troutdale home multiple times in early February.

According to court documents, undercover detectives sent text messages to Hetrick, using the victim’s cell phone. He replied to the texts, admitting the abuse, investigators said.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) said certified foster parents like Hetrick go through an extensive home study process, which looks at their stability and relationships.

Applicants must have multiple references, receive special training and undergo criminal background checks, DHS said. Hetrick went through all the required process and had no criminal history, according DHS.

“I think with anything, you put as many safeguards in place as you can and there’s things that are going to go wrong,” said Norene Owens, Foster Care and Visitation Program manager for District 22. “That’s the most heartbreaking aspect, but we’re not in the homes 24/7; it’s just impossible to have a crystal ball.”

DHS officials said they are looking into whether Hetrick cared for any other foster children prior to the teen who accused him of sex abuse.

Hetrick entered a not guilty plea in court on Monday.”

Former foster dad accused of abusing foster child [KOIN 4/1/14 by Amy Frazier]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update:“A 15-year-old girl whose 32-year-old Troutdale foster dad repeatedly had sex with her has filed a $950,000 lawsuit against him and the Oregon Department of Human Services.

The lawsuit faults DHS for placing her in the home of Jerrett Hetrick, who pleaded guilty to third-degree rape and in October was sentenced to 2½ years in prison.

Within weeks of leaving Hetrick’s foster home, the girl told authorities that he had sex with her four times on the couch and in his wife’s bed during a three-day period in February 2014.

As part of the investigation, police sent Hetrick text messages pretending they were the girl, saying she was worried about being pregnant. Hetrick “does not dispute at any point the underlying premise: that they had sex,” according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the prosecution.

Hetrick suggested the girl get an abortion, and he asked if she told her school nurse about him, according to the affidavit.

The girl’s attorney told The Oregonian/OregonLive that DHS never should have placed the girl in the home of a relatively young man because she was “prone to be sexually exploited” because of her past. Matthew Kehoe, the Hillsboro attorney representing the girl, declined to elaborate on the girl’s past.

“They elected to stick her in a home with a 32-year-old male — they just do ‘Check the box,’” Kehoe said of DHS.

A DHS spokeswoman declined to comment Tuesday, citing the pending litigation. The suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Friday.

At the time of his arrest, Hetrick was a married father of one, according to documents from his criminal case. He worked as a driver for a moving storage company.

The suit seeks $50,000 in economic damages for future counseling and other treatment for the girl. It seeks $900,000 in noneconomic damages for her “emotional injury and mental anguish.”

Hetrick is serving his prison sentence at the Powder River Correctional Facility in Baker City.”

DHS sued for $950,000 after Troutdale foster dad, 32, sexually abuses foster child, 15[Oregon Live 1/27/15 by Aimee Green]