How Could You? Hall of Shame-Robert Koenig case 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 Lucas County, Ohio, a “retired teacher who is accused of sexually abusing a foster child under his care was arraigned Thursday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.Robert Koenig, 62,…pleaded not guilty to rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition.

An indictment filed last week alleges he sexually assaulted a boy who is under the age of 10 years old between July 14 and Dec. 12, 2014.

Mr. Koenig and his wife, Bettie Koenig, were foster parents for Lucas County Children Services at the time.

He was released two days after his Monday arrest after posting the $300,000 bond. Judge Ruth Ann Franks on Thursday continued the bond. She set trial for May 18.

Dean Sparks, executive director of Lucas County Children Services, said the agency licensed the Koenigs through Ohio Jobs and Family Services and provided foster care to children for five years. They were removed in February.

“We were in the process of revoking their license,” he said. “They voluntarily withdrew their license.”

The agency sent about 10 children to the Koenigs’ home while they were foster parents. Most stayed for short-term care, the agency said.

Mr. Sparks said the couple had passed all background checks, assessments, criminal history, and other reviews before they became foster parents, and CSB caseworkers inspected their home monthly.

“We had never had any complaints about this family,” he said.

Mr. Koenig was employed as a teacher for Toledo Public Schools from 1975 to 2010 and returned as a substitute teacher from 2010-13.

Most of his career was spent at middle schools, where he taught business-related classes, a spokesman said.”
Retired teacher, foster parent denies guilt[Toledo Blade 3/27/15 by Mark Reiter]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “Charges were dismissed Thursday against a retired teacher and foster parent accused of sexually abusing a child in his care.

Frank Spryszak, an assistant county prosecutor, asked Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ruth Ann Franks to dismiss one count of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition against Robert Koenig, 63, of Toledo.

He told the court that new evidence had come to light recently “that put us in a position that we no longer felt that we had sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.”

Defense attorney Lorin Zaner said Mr. Koenig was extremely relieved. He and his wife, Bettie Koenig, had been foster parents for Lucas County Children Services for about five years after Mr. Koenig retired from Toledo Public Schools, where he had taught from 1975 to 2010.

The couple withdrew their license to be foster parents when the allegations were made and do not intend to be foster parents again, Mr. Zaner said.

“They truly had a desire to help children,” he said. “To be in a position of being falsely accused because you put yourself out there to help children is a tragedy because these are good people. Their names are drug through the mud. Why do you want to put yourself in that position? It’s terrible.”

He thanked Mr. Spryszak and the prosecutor’s office for “doing the right thing” after inconsistencies were found in statements made by the alleged victim and other problems became apparent.

A trial was set for Sept. 28.

“We had the documentation to show that there’s no way our guy could’ve done what they said,” Mr. Zaner said.

Mr. Spryszak said prosecutors as much as defense attorneys have a duty and obligation to seek justice.

“If we do not feel we have enough evidence to go forward, we can’t force a case to trial if we can’t prove it,” he said.”

Charges dismissed in child sex-abuse case [Toledo Blade 9/18/15 by Jennifer Feehan]