Muncie foster dad faces child molesting charges; 6 kids removed from home
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — A Muncie foster dad was arrested Saturday morning after police say he molested two children in his care.
Jaython Patterson, 41, faces preliminary charges of child molesting and vicarious sexual gratification.
Patterson and his husband were fostering six children, all of whom were removed from a residence on West Johnson Circle, Muncie police confirmed. They were longtime foster parents, according to police.
As of Monday, only Patterson faced preliminary charges.
The Indiana Department of Child Services on Friday contacted a Muncie police officer after a child said that his foster parent, Patterson, had fondled him, “showed him how to masturbate” and would masturbate in front of him. The child told DCS that Patterson had taught him what he called the “Tickle Your Pickle” game and that another child in the home also participated. The boy told DCS that Patterson had also shown him a sexual video of Patterson and his husband, a probable cause affidavit says.
According to the affidavit, after all six children were removed from the home, the second child mentioned disclosed the same abuse to DCS.
DCS confirmed with News 8 that Patterson served as a foster parent for 25 children over the course of 2 1/2 years. A DCS spokeswoman said their records show Patterson never had a complaint against him.
During an interview with a Muncie police officer, Patterson admitted “demonstrating how to masturbate” to both children and said the children were in bed with him when it happened. He also admitted to showing them a video of himself and his husband, according to the affidavit.
Patterson was in the Delaware County Jail but bonded out, online court records show.
Police had sent the affidavit to the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, but no formal charges had been announced.
On Monday, DCS spokeswoman Noelle Russell released the following statement to News 8:
“The abuse of a child by any individual is unconscionable. We are especially dismayed when allegations arise against someone in a position of trust. As always, we will work with law enforcement and our community partners to ensure the safety of children in need of services.”
