Girl Raped by Foster Dad

June 8, 2010 permalink

At age eleven a girl was placed in the Sudbury home of foster father Douglas Klasges. Almost immediately he began to use the girl for his sexual gratification. He got her pregnant and at age fourteen she gave birth to a child. Now that the girl is sixteen, the foster father has been brought to justice. The girl wanted to publicize the name of the errant man as a warning to others who might be victimized, but she had to win a court battle to do so. Who wanted to keep the name a secret? The local children's aid society.

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Victim concerned for foster children

Posted By BOB VAILLANCOURT THE SUDBURY STAR, Posted June 8, 2010

A former Children's Aid Society foster child convinced a Sudbury judge Monday to make public the name of the foster father who began molesting her when she was 11 and got her pregnant when she was 14.

"The irony is rich," said Superior Court Justice Patricia Hennessy, "that concern for other foster children is most eloquently addressed" by the victim, who is now 16.

Lawyers for the Children's Aid Society in Sudbury argued that not only should Hennessy ban publication of former foster parent Douglas Klasges's name, she should ban all reporting on the case.

During Monday's hearing, however, the victim told the court she wanted the ban lifted so that the community would know she had been placed as a foster child with Klasges.

He was in court Monday for sentencing, but most of the three-hour hearing was spent in argument over an earlier court-imposed ban that would have prohibited publication of the victim's identity, and in any way, the relationship between her and Klasges.

The victim told Hennessy she would be willing to have her name published if it meant Klasges's name would also be public.

The teen's request was supported by the Crown, but opposed by Children's Aid Society lawyer Dawn Dubois. Dubois said revealing Klasges as a foster parent could have an adverse impact on the future lives of foster children who had been placed with him in the past.

Dubois suggested the judge not only retain the ban, but consider extending it to include non-publication of the entire court proceeding.

However, the victim told Justice Hennessy it was that very reason -- that Klasges had been a foster parent to others -- that she wanted the ban lifted.

The victim's sister told the court that the victim's "concern for other children that were in the foster home" that made her come forward with her request.

"It may incline other children to come forward," said the sister. The victim "wanted it known this happened in a foster environment," she said.

Her sister was "looking out for the best interest of other children now. There may be others out there who may get the courage to speak out."

Court was told the victim was formally placed with Klasges in November 2005 when she was 11.

Almost immediately, he began fondling and trying to kiss her.

By the spring of 2007, he impregnated her. She gave birth in February 2008 when she was 14 years old.

Initially, Klasges, 65, was charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation.

At the time of his arrest, police sought a warrant to take a sample of his DNA to prove paternity of the child.

Klasges unsuccessfully fought the request in the court, saying police had insufficient grounds to make the request. In a ruling handed down in March, Justice Hennessy said the police request was proper and Klasges was obliged to abide by it.

Shortly after, Klasges pleaded guilty.

The Crown wants a seven-year term for Klasges, while his lawyer, George Florentis, is seeking five years.

Justice Hennessy will hand down her decision Wednesday morning.

bvaillancourt@thesudburystar.com

Source: The Sudbury Star