How Could You? Hall of Shame-Janet and Paul Foster

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 Hollis, New Hampshire, foster parents Paul Foster, 51, and Janet Foster, 44 have been arrested for sexual assault against a 14-year-old foster daughter  and a 15-year-old girl (currently not being identified as a foster child).

Union Leader says Paul “turned himself into police [early] Tuesday [August 14, 2012]. Detectives had a warrant for his arrest on five counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, all class A felonies, and one count of simple assault, a misdemeanor.
Police opened an investigation on Aug. 8 after being notified of the allegations by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

He posted a $50,000 bond for bail and was released, pending arraignment Sept. 5 in 9th Circuit Court, Nashua District. ”

Union Leader says Janet “turned herself into Hollis Police Tuesday [August 14, 2012] afternoon on an arrest warrant charging her with two counts of witness tampering, a class B felony, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. ”

“Police allege that Janet Foster violated a duty of care for both victims in that she knew what had transpired and failed to protect both children. They also allege that Janet Foster attempted to induce both children to withhold information regarding the abuse.
Janet Foster was subsequently released after posting $5,000 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 5 in the 9th Circuit Court, Nashua District Division. ”

Nashua Telegraph says that the abuse went on for 4 years.”Police say Paul Foster sexually abused a 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old foster child for four years, police said.

He is also charged with a single count of misdemeanor simple assault, police said.

Maggie Bishop, director of DCYF, said she is barred from talking about any foster children or foster parents and could not acknowledge whether the Fosters are foster parents for DCYF.

Speaking generally, Bishop said foster parents go through a rigorous background and criminal history checks. They also have to undergo home and family and health assessments and interviews, home inspections and graduate from a months-long training program.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, and then there’s ongoing training and ongoing monitoring,” Bishop said. [Obviously not enough though!]

DCYF has units that investigate any concerns or complaints at any of the department’s providers, including counselors, treatment providers, group homes and foster families. Each regional office also has workers who monitor local foster parents, dropping in at least once a month, as well as a unit that certifies foster parents and has regular contact with them.

“It there’s a concern anywhere, it’s immediately addressed,” Bishop said. “Our first reaction is to immediately assure the safety of any child that’s involved in any kind of situation.”

Many foster children also have visits from other providers, including guardian ad litems. Bishop said it is “very rare” that foster parents have run-ins with the law.

“There are eyes in these homes all the time,” she said. “There is a process to make sure these kids are safe inside the home.” [Well, except for this one…nothing more sickening than CPS trying to claim that they do such a great job…same old, same old…]

“The witness tampering charges Janet Foster is facing are Class B felonies. The endangering the welfare of a child charges are Class A misdemeanors, police said.”

Sources:

Hollis man charged with sexually assaulting 2 teen girls

[Union Leader 8/14/12]

Wife arrested in Hollis sex assault case

[Union Leader 8/15/12]
Hollis police: Wife knew of husband’s alleged sexual abuse of girls, tried to cover it up

[Nashua Telegraph 8/16/12 by Joseph G. Cote]

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