How Could You? Hall of Shame- Len Schneider 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 West Newton, Pennsylvania, foster parent Len Schneider, 72 “was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner in West Newton.

Westmoreland County detectives charged Schneider with two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse-person with mental disability, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse-person less than 16 years of age, aggravated indecent assault-complainant suffers mental disability and aggravated indecent assault-complainant less than 16, and a single count of endangering the welfare of children-parent or guardian commits offense.

The alleged assaults took place over a three-year period beginning in 2010.

On Oct. 8, the alleged victim was interviewed at A Child’s Place at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, Westmoreland County Detective Robert Weaver wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.

“The victim disclosed that (Schneider) had touched him inside his underpants,” the affidavit states.

The victim claimed Schneider sexually assaulted him more than once at two North Second Street locations.

Eight days later, Schneider, while being interviewed at his residence, told Weaver the victim was 13 or 14 at the time and would lie with him and back up and push against him while watching TV.

Schneider said it happened at least once a week.

Schneider never stopped the victim or told the victim what he was doing was wrong, the affidavit states. Schneider allegedly said he let it continue “so that he could find out if the victim was gay.”

Schneider allegedly told Weaver the alleged victim functions at the level of a child age 5 or 6 and that the alleged victim would not be capable of making up such a story. Schneider contends all children are promiscuous, the affidavit states.

According to a criminal complaint, Schneider and the victim frequently played a game in which Schneider asked, “What would you trade for the car?” The alleged victim would make offers, and Schneider would turn him down until the victim allegedly made motions Schneider perceived to mean he wanted to have sex.

Schneider was placed in Westmoreland County Prison in Hempfield in lieu of $10,000 straight cash bond.”
West Newton foster father faces child sex charges
k[Trib Live 12/19/14 by Jeremy Sellew]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

 

Update:“A West Newton man accused of allegedly assaulting an intellectually disabled teenage boy had his preliminary hearing continued for 90 days.

West Newton-based Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner hesitantly agreed to delay the hearing for Len Schneider, 72, on two counts each of deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault of a person with mental disability, deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault of a person younger than 16, and a single count of endangering the welfare of children by a parent or guardian.

Schneider served as a foster parent for the victim.

Defense attorney Lee Markovitz argued that his client should undergo a psychiatric evaluation before a hearing is held. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Love Dupilka agreed to the continuance.

Christner argued that Markovitz could waive his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges to avoid a continuance as most psychiatric evaluations take place at the common pleas court level.

But Christner later agreed to postpone the hearing at Markovitz’s request.

The teen said Schneider sexually assaulted him more than once at two North Second Street locations over a three-year period beginning in 2010.

Eight days later, Schnei­der was interviewed in his home by investigators.

He allegedly told Westmoreland County Detective Robert Weaver the boy was 13 or 14 at the time and would lay with him while watching TV.

Schneider said it happened at least once per week, but he never stopped the teen or told him it was wrong, the affidavit states.

Schneider told Weaver that the teen functions at a 5 or 6–year–old level and wouldn’t be capable of making up such a story, the affidavit states.

Schneider remains free after posting $10,000 bond Dec. 19 through a bondsman.

The hearing was rescheduled for 9 a.m. April 13.”

Hearing delayed for West Newton foster dad accused of sex assault
[TRib Live 1/13/15 by Jeremy Sellew]

A search of the Pennsylvania court records show that on 6/17/15 a 2 guilty pleas were negotiated for “Indecent Assault Person With Mental Disability”. He received 4 to 23 months on both charges with 3 years probation. He has to have Megan’s Law registration and provide photo, finger and palm print, and DNA sample to PSP.