How Could You? Hall of Shame-Edgar R. Torrance 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 Conway, Arkansas, foster father Edgar R. Torrance, 56, “is being held on $250,000 bond after pleading not guilty to raping his 6-year-old foster daughter.”

“According to an affidavit filed June 8, Edgar R. Torrance, 56, was charged with rape after the girl’s adoptive mother, in October of 2014, reported allegations that Torrance raped the girl while she was a foster child in his home in 2011 and 2012.

Court records indicate that the mother was talking with the child about the importance of knowing people before riding in their cars and discussing appropriate behavior when the child told her Torrance had engaged in inappropriate behavior with her.

During questioning with a forensics investigator, the child described the actions in detail.

Torrance denied that any sexual behavior ever occurred and refused a lie detector test. The child’s siblings lived in the home with Torrance but never reported any allegations of abuse.

Documents show that roughly 20 children have lived with Torrance, and investigators are still trying to locate several of them for questioning.

Torrance’s only known criminal history involves several traffic violations, including one in 2004 for not using a child passenger restraint.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services Standards of Approval for Foster and Adoptive Homes reads that foster and adoptive parent applicants must consent to child and adult maltreatment central registry checks and criminal background checks.

The maltreatment checks are repeated every two years, but the criminal background check need not be repeated.

It was not clear when Torrence is expected to appear in court again.”

Conway man charged with raping 6-year-old foster child [The Log Cabin Democrat 6/19/15 by Jessica Houser]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update: “Circuit Judge Charles “Ed” Clawson set trial dates for three unrelated rape cases in Faulkner County Circuit Court on Monday.

Pretrial hearings for Edgar Torrance and Chauncey Monroe were set for Nov. 2.”

“Torrance, who is accused of raping his 6-year-old foster daughter, is currently being held in lieu of a $250,000 bond.

On Monday, his request to have his electronic monitoring removed was denied.

The girl’s adoptive mother reported in October 2014 the girl was raped while she lived with Torrance as a foster child in 2011 and 2012, according to an affidavit.

The affidavit states the girl reported the act to her mother while they were discussing the importance of knowing people before riding in cars with them. The girl said Torrance had touched her in his vehicle and had lain in bed with her and told her it was OK for her to touch his genitals because “other girls had done it so it was OK for her to touch him also.”

Torrance denied the allegations. The girl’s siblings also lived with Torrance at the time of the incident but did not report any abuse.

Investigators are contacting Torrance’s other past foster children. Documents show roughly 20 children have been under his care.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services Standards of Approval for Foster And Adoptive Homes handbook states foster and adoptive parent applicants must consent to child and adult maltreatment registry checks and criminal background checks.

While it doesn’t state if background checks should be repeated, foster and adoptive parents must undergo maltreatment checks every two years.”

Trial dates set in Faulkner County rape cases [The Cabin 9/28/15 by Marisa Hicks]

“Edgar Torrance, who is accused of raping a 6-year-old girl in his care as a foster parent, was released on a $250,000 bond and was given a Dec. 7 pretrial.

The girl’s adoptive mother reported the 6 year old had been raped while she was under Torrance’s care as a foster child in 2011 and 2012, according to an affidavit.

The affidavit stated the girl reported the act to her mother while they were discussing the importance of knowing people before riding in cars with them. During the conversation, the girl reportedly told her adoptive mother Torrance had touched her in his vehicle and had lain in bed with her.

Clawson denied Torrance’s request to have his electronic monitoring removed. Torrance previously requested his monitor be removed in September, which Clawson had also denied.

The girl’s siblings also lived with Torrance at the time of the incident but did not report any abuse.”

Judge sets trial dates in rape cases [The Cabin 11/2/15 by Marisa Hicks]

Update 2:“A Conway man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting his foster child.

Edgar Torrance, 64, was charged with rape and second-degree sexual assault in June 2015. On Monday, he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault.

Torrance entered a plea deal Monday, the day before his three-day jury was scheduled.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Hugh Finkelstein said he wanted to acknowledge the victim’s bravery in coming forward and reporting Torrance’s crime.

“We want to thank this brave young girl who had the strength to come forward and tell her mother what happened to her when she was in foster care,” he said. “She has been through a lot since this happened and has not only survived, but has thrived.”

Finkelstein said he also wanted to thank each department involved in the investigation.

“We would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the Arkansas State Police and the Conway Police Department, especialy Detective Brad Fornash, who was instrumental in getting justice for this little girl.”

The trial would have been the first for the Faulkner County courthouse dog to be used in.

A circuit judge ruled in September to allow Barb, the courthouse dog, to accompany the girl, who is now 10 years old.

Courthouse dogs are used as a means to support child victims, helping to create a friendlier environment to ease the pain of talking about uncomfortable, traumatic events.

Background

Torrance was charged with rape and second-degree sexual assault after the 6-year-old girl’s adoptive mother reported in October 2014 that Torrance raped the child while she was in his custody in 2011 and 2012.

Court records state the mother was talking with the girl about the importance of knowing people before riding in their cars and discussing appropriate behavior when the girl said Torrance had engaged in inappropriate behavior with her.

During questioning with a forensics investigator, the girl described his alleged actions in detail.

Torrance denied the allegations and refused a lie detector test when police questioned him.

The girl’s siblings also lived in the home with Torrance at the time but never reported any allegations of abuse.

Documents show that about 20 children have lived with Torrance over the years.”

Conway man gets 12 years for sexually assaulting foster child[Log Cabin Democrat 11/14/16 by Marisa Hick]