Foster parent charged with child molesting

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 31, 2008 at 2:25 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2008 at 4:33 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A foster parent and civilian corrections officer has been charged with molesting a 6-year-old girl who was not under the man's care or living in his home.

Harold "Rick" Ferrin, 53, was being held without bond Thursday at the Marion County Jail on four charges of child molesting. His lawyer says Ferrin denies the charges, which stem from an investigation that began July 6.

The felony charges involve allegations made by a 6-year-old girl, who was not one of the foster children in the care of Ferrin and his wife and did not live in their home. The girl alleges that incidents occurred over the last year.

The Ferrins have been state-licensed foster parents since February 2007, said Susan Tielking, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Child Services. Their status is listed as "active probation," but no children are placed with them now, she said.

"It looks like this is a very unique case and is not reflective of the majority of foster parents who are working every single day to improve the lives of children," Tielking said.

The Indianapolis Star reported that about a week after the initial police report was filed, DCS removed two foster children — a 10-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister — who had had been living with the couple since last year.

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said Thursday that police have interviewed those two children but authorities do not expect them to make any allegations against Ferrin.

Ferrin worked as a civilian corrections officer at the Marion County Jail II, a jail annex run by a private contractor. Warden Jeff Conway said Ferrin was placed on administrative leave after his arrest.

Indianapolis attorney Robert Hammerle, who had assisted Ferrin during the investigation, said Ferrin adamantly maintains his innocence.

"Everyone recognizes the gravity of these kinds of allegations," Hammerle said. "But the flip side is that once these kinds of allegations are made, there is an indelible stain on a person's reputation that cannot be washed away, even if they are proven to be innocent."

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