How Could You? Hall of Shame-Kenneth Kirchner caseUPDATED

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 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,adoptive parent Kenneth Kirchner, 66, has an August trial for “sexually molesting his special needs adopted daughters over a period of 11 years.”

He “pleaded not guilty in February 2013 in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court to three counts of child sexual assault and one count of physical child abuse.

He was released from jail after paying a $5,000 cash bond and the case remains open after 17 months. Kirchner last appeared in court on June 10, but no plea agreement was reached.”

“The Fond du Lac Sheriff’s Department was contacted in September 2012 by the Fond du Lac County Department of Social Services regarding sexual assault complaints made against Kirchner. A previous referral had been made to Social Services in Sheboygan County in which the claims were unsubstantiated, according to a criminal complaint.

Sheboygan investigated because the allegations were against Kirchner and his wife who were foster parents at the time participating in Fond du Lac County. Since that time the Kirchners dropped their foster parent license so Fond du Lac County Social Services took over the investigation, according to the complaint.

All three sisters had been removed from their original home because they had been sexually abused by their biological father.

One of the girls, described as having cognitive disabilities, said Kirchner made her perform sexual acts in the basement and she then received money and gifts. She stated she was also physically abused, choked, locked outside, hit with brooms and kicked in the gut, according to the complaint.

The youngest sister said the abuse began around the age of 4 and at one point involved a sexual device, according to the complaint. She told investigators that she was told she would be in trouble if she did not comply and was told by Kirchner that it was “their little secret” in exchange for treats.

The two younger girls said they told their adopted mother more than once what was happening and she finally believed them after several years. According to the complaint, Kirchner’s wife had confronted him in the past and he denied the claims.

A former foster child of the Kirchners that was interviewed told investigators Kenneth Kirchner was inappropriate with her and gave her a Valentine Card that referred to oral sex, according to the complaint. She also said she had told Kirchner’s wife what was happening.

Another former foster child said Kirchner had touched her inappropriately but she denied that anything had taken place when previously questioned because she did not want him to go to jail, according to the complaint.

The middle sister told a friend that she did not want to go back into the foster care system and she did not want to lose her sisters so she did not tell anyone what was happening, according to the complaint.

Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney said since Kirchner’s initial appearance several motions have been filed, which pushed up a fall 2013 trial date.

“We don’t control when the courts schedule cases, but I can tell you that our judges, as well as the DA’s office, take allegations of sexual assault very seriously,” Toney said.

Kirchner’s trial is set to begin Aug. 27 before Judge Gary Sharpe.”

Trial set for Fond du Lac man charged with sex assault of three sisters[Fond du Lac Reporter 6/13/14 by Sharon Roznik]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update: A search of the Wisconsin Court records finds that Kenneth will be tried on 12/1/14.

Update 2: A search of  the Wisconsin Court records finds on 4/20/15-4/24/15 he had a jury trial. On 4/24/15 he had a “Judgment of dismissal/acquittal”.