How Could You? Hall of Shame-Bobby Wayne Turman

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 Navarre, Florida, foster parent “Bobby Wayne Turman, 36, [was] sentenced to life in prison without parole by Circuit Court Judge David Rimmer on Thursday [June 30, 2011].”

“On June 3 Turman was found guilty by a Santa Rosa County Jury of three counts of sexual battery on a child and three counts of sexual battery while in a position of familial or custodial Authority.

The crimes began in 1999 after the 8-year-old child victim, who had been sexually abused in Texas, was placed in foster care in Florida. Soon after, Turman began to sexually abuse the victim.

This abuse continued for seven years at various locations in Santa Rosa County. Turman was arrested on April 9, 2010, at the conclusion of an investigation by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. ”

Navarre man gets life sentence for sexual abuse
[PNJ 7/1/11 by Louis Cooper]

“The abuse was reported to the Sheriff’s Office on February 9, 2010. Turman was arrested two months later on 100 counts of sexual assault, according to arrest reports.

At age 9, the victim reported the abuse to Turman’s wife, but Turman told the victim to tell his wife that it was just a dream, according to the reports. Turman threatened to kill the victim if anyone else was told.

At 15, the victim told Turman’s wife again, but she did not believe the accusations, according to the report. The victim told investigators that if Turman’s wife did not believe the abuse occurred, then no one would.”

“Circuit Judge David Rimmer sentenced Turman to the maximum penalty.”

Turman sentenced to life in prison for sexual battery of foster child
[The Destin Log 6/30/11 by Laura Sage Reinlie]

2010 Arrest Story

“From age 8 to 12, the victim was sexually abused at least 100 times. The abuse continued until age 18 with an estimated 100 additional incidents.

One of the witnesses lived with Turman when the victim was abused. He recalled six or seven occasions when Turman was alone with the victim in a bedroom or bathroom. Turman told the roommate the victim was being disciplined. The witness said he thought something was not right because he never heard voices coming from the rooms. He heard sniffling, crying and grunt noises.

When they were in the bathroom, a faucet would run. When it was a bedroom, he heard “movement on the bed” and “squeaks from the bed,” the report said.

Turman told him to mind his own business. The victim was too scared to tell the witness what happened, the report said.

The victim said the abuse was reported twice to Turman’s wife, the report said. After the first discussion, at age 9, the victim’s wife confronted Turman then left him alone in a room with the victim. He told the victim to tell his wife, “It was just a dream,” according to the report.

The victim acquiesced. Turman continued the abuse and threatened to kill the victim if anyone else was told. At 15, the victim told the wife again.

The wife did not believe the accusations. The victim stopped telling people, saying that if Turman’s wife did not believe the abuse occurred, no one would, according to the report.

An investigator had difficulty locating Turman to question him. He later received a phone call from someone who identified himself as Bob Turman.

“B. Turman stated something to the effect of, ‘I don’t believe I have anything I need to talk to you about,’” said the investigator in the report.”

Man charged with 100 counts of sexual assault to victim under 12 (with MUG
[NWF Daily 4/13/10 by Mona Moore]

REFORM Puzzle Piece