How Could You? Hall of Shame-Tommy Lynn Bailey 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 Altus, Oklahoma, pastor and foster father Tommy Lynn Bailey,56,”was arrested on a felony warrant Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 16, on a complaint of Child Sexual Abuse.

 

According to Police Chief Tim Murphy, after a referral from The Oklahoma Department of Human Services in early December, an investigation was conducted by Altus Police which resulted in the arrest of Tommy Lynn Bailey, 56, of Altus.

 

Murphy said that the warrant was issued from the Jackson County District Court on a complaint of Child Sexual Abuse after the female victim told investigators the sexual abuse began while she 14 years old and living in the Bailey home.

 

“The investigation has revealed that the sexual abuse started on or around September 2007 and continued through February 2014 when the victim was in the custody of the State of Oklahoma as a foster child,” said Murphy.

 

Until recently, Bailey served nearly 15 years as the pastor of the Elm and Hudson Church of Christ in Altus. Bailey was also a former employee at Open Arms behavioral center in Lawton.

 

Bailey was arrested Wednesday afternoon at his home without incident and transported and incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail. His bond has been set at $100,000.”

Former pastor arrested for child sexual assault [Altus Times 12/16/14]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update:“The preliminary hearing for former Altus pastor Tommy Lynn Bailey was held this morning at the Jackson County Courthouse. Bailey was arrested in December 2014 on a felony warrant out of Jackson County on a complaint of child sexual abuse.

Bailey was the pastor at the Elm and Hudson Church of Christ in Altus for almost 15 years. He resigned as their minister on November 30, 2014, about two weeks before his arrest. It should be noted that none of the allegations against Bailey relate to the church itself. Bailey was also a former employee at Open Arms behavioral center in Lawton.

According Altus Police, the female victim told investigators that the sexual abuse began when she was only 14-years-old while living in the Bailey home. Police say that the investigation has revealed that the sexual abuse started around September 2007 and continued through February 2014, when the victim was in the custody of the State of Oklahoma as a foster child.

Bailey was arrested at his home on Dec. 16, 2014 without incident and taken to the Jackson County Jail. His bond was set at $100,000. Bailey has been released on bond with certain special bond conditions set. He is to have no contact with the victim or 3rd party, and he cannot be in the presence of minors without adult supervision.

Today’s hearing was open to the public with over 20 people in attendance. The presiding Judge was Judge Brad D. Leverett. “This is a sensitive matter and we have a large crowd. No one is to react in anyway, with any expression intended to be an opinion on what is heard here today or the Sheriff will remove you,” said Judge Leverett.

Assistant District Attorney, David R. Thomas called the witness to the stand. Shawna Dale, 20, was placed in the Bailey home, September 2007, when she was 12 years old as a foster child. This morning Dale gave testimony to the alleged sexual abuse against her by Tom Bailey.

“At first we were really close, I never really had a father figure and he was the best one but as time continued he started sexually abusing me,” Dale said. Dale continued to give testimony that the sexual contact began as touching of her back and breasts. “The touching progressed for about a year and half and at the end it became very sexual,” said Dale. Dale recalled that all acts occurred at the Bailey residence.

Dale was cross examined by Bailey’s Attorney, R. Scott Adams. Adams asked Dale if she has made any contact with Mr. Bailey in the last 30 days, to which she confirmed she had.

“I called him because I miss my Dad. I told him Happy Birthday, that I missed him and that I love him. I was crying a lot,” said Dale. Attorney Adams asked Dale if she had apologized to Mr. Bailey for lying. “No. I did not say I was sorry for lying. I did say that I’m sorry it went this far,” said Dale.

After being questioned by both sides and hearing a very detailed testimony from Ms. Dale, Judge Leverett stated, “The Court finds that probable cause does exist on one count of child sexual abuse, that the Defendant could have committed the crime.”

Tom Bailey’s next hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2015 at 9 a.m.”

Probable Cause in Bailey Case[Altus Times 3/6/15 by Tinita Tennant]

A Search of Oklahoma court records shows that he had a court hearing on 5/5/15 and is scheduled for a pre-trial on 9/11/15.

Update 2:“A former Altus pastor will be spending the next few years behind bars.

He pleaded guilty on Tuesday in connection with sexual assault and molestation of a foster child in his custody.

District Attorney John Wampler says 58-year-old Tommy Lynn Bailey admitted to committing the acts in 2009.

He was originally charged with sexual abuse of a child between 2009 and 2012.

He pleaded to two counts of assault with the intent to commit a felony of lewd molestation.

He received five years in prison and five years on probation.

He also paid $7,500 fines on each count and $15,000 restitution to the foster child.

Police say the abuse began when the girl was living in Bailey’s home at age 14.

Bailey served as pastor of the Elm and Hudson Church of Christ for about 15 years.”

Former Pastor Sentenced for Sex With Foster Child [Texas Homepage.com 3/1/16 by Nexstar broadcasting]