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 Grand Rapids, Michigan, a correctional officer at a Grand Rapids juvenile facility, Devin Michael Wood ,23, ” is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old female resident.'” He was “a correctional officer for North Homes Children and Family Services, was charged this week with five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.”
“A criminal complaint filed Thursday alleges that Wood sexually assaulted the girl several times over a period of three days in her cell at the nonprofit’s detention center. Judge Jon Maturi set bail at $50,000, without conditions, or $30,000 with conditions during Wood’s first appearance Monday, according to the Itasca County attorney’s office. The judge also granted a request for a public defender.
According to the criminal complaint:
Grand Rapids police officer Troy Scott went to the North Homes Cottage on Sunday for a juvenile runaway complaint. While there, an altercation broke out between two residents. The officer heard one of the girls allege that the other had sex with “Devin.”
Scott interviewed the first girl, who stated that she overheard the second girl report to her roommate that she had had sex with Wood in her secure cell. The roommate later reported the information to her caseworker and an investigator.
The officer reviewed surveillance video from the previous day. He found that Wood entered the alleged victim’s cell on several occasions, closing the door almost completely, and leaving after a few minutes.
The alleged victim gave a statement that day, telling Scott that her involvement with Wood started as kissing and touching of her body parts, before they had sex on several occasions over three days. The girl also provided two notes that Wood had written her, one of which contained graphic sexual content directed toward her.
Wood was arrested and agreed to give a statement, initially denying the allegations. After some time, he said he entered the girl’s cell and gave her a hug. Later, he claimed that the girl tried to grope him sexually, but he prevented her from doing so and left the cell.
Wood initially denied writing the letters. He later admitted to it, but denied that he had acted on his writings.
Police said there were also several discrepancies in his story.
Wood was then booked into the Itasca County Jail, where he remained Thursday.
North Homes is a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit agency that offers numerous services for children and families, including foster care, adoption, mental health, residential treatment, transition services and detention, according to its website. The organization also has facilities in Duluth and Bemidji.
Connie Ross, the residential treatment programs director for North Homes, called the alleged sexual assault “unfortunate,” but said she could not speak specifically about it because of confidentiality restrictions.
“The care and safety of our clients is and has always been our highest priority,” she said. “We’ve worked collaboratively with the family and local law enforcement on the matter and will continue to do that. We will continue to focus on the needs of our students and allow local law enforcement to deal with the legal issues.””
Grand Rapids juvenile facility officer accused of sexually assaulting teen[Twin Cities.com 4/17/14 by Tom Olsen]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update:“A Grand Rapids man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old juvenile female at the North Homes residential treatment and correctional facility in Grand Rapids last month has pleaded not guilty.
Devin Michael Wood, 23, appeared before Itasca County District Court Judge Lois Lang in a brief court appearance where he entered the not guilty pleas on five counts of felony first degree criminal sexual conduct.
Lang noted the pleas and set Wood’s next court appearance for 8:30 am. on Tuesday, June 3.
The charges against Wood stem from a series of alleged sexual assaults that took place between April 10-12, 2014.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 13, a Grand Rapids police officer was dispatched to North Homes Cottage regarding a juvenile runaway complaint. While at the facility, staff asked for the officer’s assistance with an altercation between two juvenile female residents. The officer saw one girl crying and the other walking behind her, threatening to assault her. The girls were separated and the one continued to yell at the officer and the crying girl, then stated the crying girl had sex with Wood.
Later that day, the complaint stated the victim provided a taped statement describing sexual advances Wood had made. She then described numerous sexual contacts between Wood and herself which took place between April 10 and April 12 in her cell in the facility’s secure area. She also provided authorities with two notes, one containing graphic sexual content, which Wood had written to her.
According to the complaint, Wood was arrested for sexual assault and when interviewed at the jail, he first denied having any relations with the victim. He did later admit to giving the victim a hug and kissing her, but when she attempted to grab at him in a sexual manner, he prevented her from doing so and left the cell. The complaint further states that Wood admitted to writing the notes but claimed he did not act on his writings.
Wood is currently in custody at the Itasca County Jail.”
Former juvenile corrections officer pleads not guilty[Grand Rapids MN Herald Review 5/5/14 by Lisa Rosemore]
“A trial date has been set for a Grand Rapids man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old juvenile female at the North Homes residential treatment and correctional facility in Grand Rapids in April.
Devin Michael Wood, 23, appeared before Itasca County District Court Judge Lois Lang in a brief court appearance Monday morning with his attorney, Chad Sterle. Wood has been charged with five counts of felony first degree criminal sexual conduct. He entered not guilty pleas on the charges in May.
Sterle told the court that he filed a motion last week requesting a speedy trial for his client and requested the trial be set for the week of July 15. Sterle also stated that he was informed Monday morning by the prosecution of new discovery in the case. He pointed out that there was evidence in the case currently at the state crime lab which has not yet been processed.
Lang asked if there were any pre-trial issues which needed addressing at this hearing.
Sterle said that in relation to handwriting analysis, depending on the outcome he might bring a motion to have an expert analyze the handwriting.
Prosecuting attorney Dave Schmit told the court his office would be sharing the new discovery with Sterle “later today.”
Lang set Wood’s next court appearance for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15.
The charges against Wood stem from a series of alleged sexual assaults that took place between April 10-12, 2014.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 13, a Grand Rapids police officer was dispatched to North Homes Cottage regarding a juvenile runaway complaint. While at the facility, staff asked for the officer’s assistance with an altercation between two juvenile female residents. The officer saw one girl crying and the other walking behind her, threatening to assault her. The girls were separated and the one continued to yell at the officer and the crying girl, then stated the crying girl had sex with Wood.
Later that day, the complaint stated the victim provided a taped statement describing sexual advances Wood had made. She then described numerous sexual contacts between Wood and herself which took place between April 10 and April 12 in her cell in the facility’s secure area. She also provided authorities with two notes, one containing graphic sexual content, which Wood had written to her.
According to the complaint, Wood was arrested for sexual assault and when interviewed at the jail, he first denied having any relations with the victim. He did later admit to giving the victim a hug and kissing her, but when she attempted to grab at him in a sexual manner, he prevented her from doing so and left the cell. The complaint further states that Wood admitted to writing the notes but claimed he did not act on his writings.
Wood is currently in custody at the Itasca County Jail.”
Trial date set for man accused in sexual assault of juvenile
[Grand Rapids MN Herald Review 6/25/14 by Lisa Rosemore]
“A Grand Rapids man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old juvenile female at the North Homes residential treatment and correctional facility in Grand Rapids in April while he was employed there has rejected a plea agreement offer.
Devin Michael Wood, 23, appeared before Itasca County District Court Judge Lois Lang in a brief court appearance Tuesday morning with his attorney, Chad Sterle. Wood has been charged with five counts of felony first degree criminal sexual conduct. He entered not guilty pleas on the charges in May.
Sterle told the court that plea negotiations have been ongoing and he thought they had resolved the case. However Tuesday morning, Wood told him “no” to the plea agreement.
Since they are still waiting for some evidence from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and it will take at least four days to try the case, they were looking for an October trial date, Sterle said.
Sterle then questioned his client on the record, asking if Wood understood that if he did not accept the plea offer by the end of the court hearing, the offer was withdrawn. Wood said he understood.
Lang, addressing Wood, stated she did not know what the plea offer was, but if the case went to trial and he was found guilty, she would decide the sentence. Wood again stated he understood.
“You’re taking risks,” she said. “Are you willing to take that risk?”
“Yes,” he replied.
Lang set the trial date for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Before the hearing ended, Sterle stated there was no longer a request for a speedy trial in the case.
The charges against Wood stem from a series of alleged sexual assaults that took place between April 10-12, 2014.
According to the criminal complaint, on April 13, a Grand Rapids police officer was dispatched to North Homes Cottage regarding a juvenile runaway complaint. While at the facility, staff asked for the officer’s assistance with an altercation between two juvenile female residents. The officer saw one girl crying and the other walking behind her, threatening to assault her. The girls were separated and the one continued to yell at the officer and the crying girl, then stated the crying girl had sex with Wood.
Later that day, the complaint stated the victim provided a taped statement describing sexual advances Wood had made. She then described numerous sexual contacts between Wood and herself which took place between April 10 and April 12 in her cell in the facility’s secure area. She also provided authorities with two notes, one containing graphic sexual content, which Wood had written to her.
According to the complaint, Wood was arrested for sexual assault and when interviewed at the jail, he first denied having any relations with the victim. He did later admit to giving the victim a hug and kissing her, but when she attempted to grab at him in a sexual manner, he prevented her from doing so and left the cell. The complaint further states that Wood admitted to writing the notes but claimed he did not act on his writings.
Wood is currently in custody at the Itasca County Jail, where he has been since his April 13 arrest. He is no longer employed at North Homes.”
Grand Rapids man rejects plea in sexual assault case[Grand Rapids MN Herald Review 7/15/14 by Lisa Rosemore]
Update 2:”A former correctional officer at a juvenile facility in Grand Rapids has been sentenced for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old resident. According to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, 24-year-old Devin Michael Wood of Grand Rapids was sentenced on three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors say Wood sexually assaulted a 15-year-old female resident of the North Homes Juvenile Correctional Facility in Grand Rapids multiple times. They say the assaults took place between April 10 and 12, 2014. Wood was a correctional officer at North Homes at the time. Wood was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in prison. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender, pay a $225 fine, and be subject to lifetime conditional release.”
[WDIO.com 10/27/14]
