How Could You? Hall of Shame-Robert Lawrence Parrish

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 Wewahitchka, Florida, foster father and correctional officer Robert Lawrence Parrish,55, “has been charged with multiple felonies pertaining to sexual battery on his underage foster daughter.

Robert Lawrence Parrish, 55, was arrested July 26 at Gulf Correctional Institution near Wewahitchka and taken to Franklin County, where he was booked on two counts of sexual battery by a familial or custodial figure; sexual battery involving serious physical force or with a deadly weapon; and lewd or lascivious molestation and sexual battery on child under 12 years of age. He was not granted bond.

According to the probable cause affidavit, on Dec. 3, 2015, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Supervisor Tonja Bryant-Smith received a call from Lauren Tomberlin, victim advocate with the state attorney’s office.

Tomberlin said she had spoken with a woman who said she had been the victim of sexual battery for several years but did not want to make the report in Liberty County because of the suspect, identified as Parrish, “allegedly having a close relationship with the Liberty County sheriff.”

FDLE special agents Erika Hindle and Tara Galinos interviewed Parrish at FDLE’s Tallahassee Regional Operations Center. The affidavit, much of it redacted, says the alleged victim and another individual had been placed in foster care in the Liberty County home of Robert and Paula Parrish. The victim alleged Robert Parrish started to sexually abuse her when she was 11, and that when she was in eighth grade in 2009, their Liberty County home burned down and the family relocated to Franklin County.

The victim also alleged she witnessed Parrish commit arson at the Franklin County home.

While living in Franklin County, she said Parrish began committing sexual battery, telling her “he could not have kids so he wasn’t worried about it.”

The victim said Parrish also would grab her, drag her by her hair and kick her down the stairs, and despite her loud complaints, he would lock doors to keep out others in the family, according to the affidavit. The woman also said after she told a friend at school about the abuse, Parrish transferred the children to Franklin County.

The woman said the abuse continued until she turned 18 and moved out of the house.

In a telephone call monitored by FDLE agents, Parrish told the victim that “they could work it out and that he loved her” and did not deny the sexual abuse, according to the affidavit. The affidavit also states in an interview with FDLE agents, Parrish said the victim was “a sociopath” and denied committing the acts alleged.”

Correctional officer charged with sexual battery on foster daughter[NWF daily news 8/18/16 by DAVID ADLERSTEIN]

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