How Could You? Hall of Shame-Quinn Robinett

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 South Kitsap, Washington, adopted father Quinn Robinett, 65, “who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two of his 16 adopted children was sentenced earlier this month to more than two years in prison.

Court records show Quinn Robinett had adopted three of the 16 children through private agencies, the rest through the state. The children were home-schooled. Thirteen of the children living at home have since been placed in foster care, according to documents.

The guilty plea came just before trial in Kitsap County Superior Court, and records indicate Robinett used an “Alford plea,” meaning he did not admit guilt, only that the state had enough evidence to likely convict him.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped much more serious charges, including first-degree rape of a child and first-degree child molestation.

Robinett had worked for the state social service agency in Idaho during the 1970s and had taught at two schools before working as a contractor.

The allegations of abuse came to light in November 2015 after the victim refused to come home after being disciplined for shoplifting, and Robinett’s wife called Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies. The victim subsequently alleged Robinett had sexually assaulted her, according to court documents. The alleged abuse was said to have taken place in Kitsap and two other counties. A Kitsap County arrest warrant was issued in September 2016.

Robinett’s lawyer argued that there were inconsistencies between stories and that victims had denied they were assaulted, and then later said they were, according to documents.

Prosecutors wrote that there was a division in the family between those who believed the allegations and those who didn’t, and argued that at trial Robinett’s lawyer should be prohibited from asking siblings about one of the victim’s reputation for telling the truth.

Robinett declined to speak about the case with a state Department of Corrections interviewer, but said, “It’s not unusual for teenage kids to accuse parents of abuse,” according to the interviewer’s account.

The interviewer who spoke with Robinett argued that he felt Robinett should receive a lengthier sentence.

“These children were removed from homes due to abuse, neglect or drug dependency only to be adopted by the offender who then in turn sexually abused them,” the interviewer wrote.

Robinett pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree child molestation and third-degree child molestation.

On July 7 Judge Melissa Hemstreet sentenced Robinett to 26 months in prison.”
South Kitsap man sentenced for sex assaults on children

[Kitsap Sun 7/19/17 by Andrew Binion]

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