By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Three young women have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trumbull County Children Services Board and one of its employees, claiming the employee engaged in sexual conduct with the women while they were under age 18 and in agency custody.
The women, Shamia Fudge, Kenya Kennedy and a woman listed only as T.W., all of Warren, were under the supervision of the employee when the employee took “at least two of them” to her apartment and had them simulate sex acts with one another while the employee watched, the lawsuit said.
The employee, a Girard woman who worked as a youth leader or dorm mother in a CSB residential unit, also engaged in sex acts with the women, the suit says.
“Throughout this entire period of time, [the employee] groomed Fudge, Kennedy and T.W. through shopping trips, privileges at the residential unit, ability to drive cars, consume tobacco products and various other gift giving,” the suit said.
Atty. David Engler, who filed the lawsuit, had a news conference in the parking lot at Trumbull CSB on Thursday to announce the lawsuit, which is assigned to Magistrate Judge Kathleen B. Burke. Some of the women accompanied him.
Tim Schaffner, Children Services executive director since April, said he is “appalled” to see “Atty. Engler exposing these young women to the public in a parking lot to share their private information.”
Schaffner said the agency investigated allegations against a youth leader about four years ago and reported the allegations to the Warren Police Department, but no charges were filed.
“We will cooperate with the courts and whoever is involved,” Schaffner said, adding, “We believe in the court system. We use it every day to keep kids and families safe.”
The lawsuit alleges the women reported the incidents to Children Services, but the agency continued to employ the woman.
A check of records indicates that there are no police reports indicating that Fudge or Kennedy reported any sexual conduct to the Warren Police Department.
A police report from June 2007 indicated that a 16-year-old girl whose name was not Fudge, Kennedy or T.W. told CSB that inappropriate conduct had occurred between her and an adult CSB employee.
The employee named in the lawsuit has no record of sex-related criminal charges having been filed against her in Trumbull or Mahoning counties.
The lawsuit seeks at least $1 million for each woman for compensatory damages and at least $2 million each for punitive damages.
Engler previously represented Loretta Banks, the biological grandmother of a 9-month-old child in CSB custody who was raped during a visit by her parents at the CSB offices on Reeves Road in April 2011.
Comments
Trumbull County CSB has had a horrible reputation for years. It is about time this heiihole is closed--permanently. Enlarge Mahoning County CSB and let these professionals take over and do the jobs that they were hired to do. No, they aren't perfect either, BUT they are so much BETTER in doing the best that they can so that the children they have in their protective custody actually ARE protected. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear ANYTHING about Trumbull County CSB and it should you, also.
My niece's 14 month old baby was murdered while in the care of The Mahoning County Children's Services Board. The CSB had placed the baby in what was supposed to be a good home.The baby had 30 bruises head to toe and had been sexually assaulted. The higher up's in Youngstown, Ohio ruled the murder an accident. My sister had to go out of the county to win a civil suit. HOW SAD IS THAT? A 14 month old baby girl! The foster mother admitted that she did hit the baby with a broom! No one was held accountable.
I hope they finally nail someone to the wall for this. If you look at Mahoning Countys acomplishments they are not much better with juvenilles committing crimes galore with no investigation into the parent whatsoever. They both need a house cleaning and investigated to the max. And please no bleeding hearts on how hard their job is!! It's their JOB do it well or get rid of them. These services seem to be full of people collecting a hefty paycheck for doing absolutly nothing. Again, I hope they finally hold somebody accountable for a change for this incredible disservice.
I want to give these brave young girls a pat on the back for having the courage to come forward. These are only 3, how many others were there? What has to happen next for us citizens to stand up and say enough is enough? The worst thing is that this agency takes children away from their homes to prevent this kind of thing. How hypocritical!! How can we vote for anyone who is already in office knowing they have done nothing to protect these innocent children? Especially JUDGE JAMES. These children are Gods children and someday someone will have to answer to Him for hurting the children who's job is to protect them. I am so outraged I have no words.
This worker was only trying to show the girls her alternate lifestyle so they can make an informed decision when they grow up. How dare we make some generalizations about the gay community. (sarcasm).
Don't presume that because a lawsuit is filed, that the allegations are always true. Remember the people bringing the suit are looking for MONEY. Especially any law suit initiated by Davie Engler.
Really! The only comment that Director Tim Shafner has is to say that he is appalled that David Enlgler exposed these girls to the public in CSB parking lot to share their private information. This speaks volumes to me. What about saying he is appalled by what happened to thse girls. What about saying he is appalled that someone who's job it is to protect these girls from this very thing abuses their power to satisfy their own perverted ways. This agency needs SHUT DOWN!!!!!
I am appalled that Tim Shafner is not apppalled with what has happened to these young women! I am appalled that there was nothing done to this woman that abused these girls! I am appalled that this woman continued to work at this agency well after the report of abuse! I am appalled that if it were a foster parent or a parent of the child that the accusation was made against that CSB would have thrown them under the bus and ran them over! I am appalled that CSB covers up so much abuse and neglect! I am appalled at this agency!
Am I misunderstanding this or are we looking at another case of a person that prefers homosexual gratification engaged in child abuse here? This was a woman sexually abusing girls, right? Why are we hearing about so many cases of persons that prefer homosexual gratification using children for sex lately? Perhaps a preoccupation with one's own sexuality is not a good quality to look for in persons applying to work with children? I am wondering.
Just read another article about two men that prefer homosexual gratification raping a boy after feeding him drugs and alcohol. What is the deal with these men and women that prefer homosexuality raping children???
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...
Abuse of children, 'marriage,' etc. All this disruption from such a tiny percentage of the population. One and a half percent seems to be true no matter what lies are continuously told. Why is there so much trouble, deceit and abuse constantly surrounding persons that prefer homosexuality?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...
All you have to do is watch TV most of the shows promote it as normal and flaunt it. (Queer eye for the straight guy show, the Design show and on and on. Now all the kooks can come out of the woodwork. Thank god for Turner classic channel
So, only homosexuals abuse kids?