NJ- State report says DYFS could have done more to protect victims of 2006 murder-suicide

Posted in Related Deaths

10-24-2007 New Jersey:

The state Division of Youth and Family Services could have done more to protect Melanie and Scott McCarter, a report released by the New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate said Wednesday.

Wendy Bennett McCarter, 35, was shot and killed on the morning of May 25, 2006, by her husband, Scott McCarter, who also killed their two children, Scotty, 12, and Melanie, 6, before shooting himself in their Nabb Avenue home in Millville.


Scott McCarter had been barred from living with Wendy and his children because of a court order stemming from charges he allegedly molested two teenage girls from 2001 to 2004.

One of the girls was Wendy McCarter's daughter, Amanda Bennett, who has filed a lawsuit against DYFS over the deaths of her mother and two siblings. Bennett had moved out, and was not at the Nabb Avenue home at the time of the murder/suicide.

NV- Man kills girlfriend, then jumps off dam

Posted in Related Deaths

9-29-2004 Nevada:

Woman's body found in Las Vegas hotel

A Laconia man who killed his girlfriend in a Las Vegas Strip hotel before taking his own life had been arrested by the local police twice in the past five years for failing to register as a sex offender.

Lawrence Joyce, 34, of 361 Court St. in Laconia, jumped to his death from the Hoover Dam early Tuesday after calling 911 and telling dispatchers he had killed Rebecca Roux, 27, of Sanford, Maine. The police found Roux's body in a room at the Treasure Island hotel-casino. The victim was beaten to death, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office.

A short time later, the Hoover Dam police noticed a man sitting outside his car atop the dam wall, said Colleen Dwyer, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees the dam 30 miles east of Las Vegas. Joyce tried to get the police to shoot him, and he was shot with a Taser before he eventually jumped 700 feet to his death, Metro Police Capt. Tom Lozich said.

MI- Suspected child molester shoots man, turns gun on himself

10-2-2003 Michigan:

One man is dead after a bizarre shooting in Newaygo County. The alleged shooter killed himself just after shooting a man in bed. The victim is in critical condition at an area hospital.

The incident started just before 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, on East 16 Mile Road in northeast Newaygo County.

Newaygo County Sheriff's Department deputies say Lawrence Kardos showed up at a home with a high-powered rifle.

The homeowner, identified as Daniel Reardon, was asleep on the couch.

"When he awoke he was standing over him with a high powered rifle and made threats he wanted to kill him," says Newaygo County Sheriff Michael Mercer.

HI- 2 Bodies Found On Lanai

Posted in Related Deaths

7-25-2006 Hawaii:

Maui detectives are on Lanai investigating an apparent murder-suicide. The bodies of a teenage girl and adult male were found Saturday morning in a field near the Lanai Police station. The couple went missing Friday morning and their bodies were found Saturday morning.

Today police identified the victims as 15 year-old Ariel Aki and 24 year-old John Estrata. Aki was a student at Lanai High and Elementary School. They died from gunshot wounds. Today Lanai Principal Pierce Myer told News 8 they will have counselors available for traumatized friends.

Autopsies are scheduled for tomorrow. Police say Estrata was under investigation since July 16th in connection with the sex assault of a minor. ..more.. : by KHNL8

FL- Florida Sex Offender Kills Teen, Self After Police Standoff

Posted in Related Deaths

7-16-2006 Florida:

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A registered sex offender fatally shot a 17-year-old girl he had been harassing, then killed himself after an hour-long standoff with police Saturday, authorities said.

Police had been investigating 42-year-old Scott David Uslan's relationship with Brittany Carleo for several months, but did not have probable cause to arrest him until Wednesday after he started making harassing phone calls to the teen, police spokesman Rob Vega said.

Uslan posted bond and was released from jail Thursday. He entered the smoothie cafe where Carleo worked with a gun around 9:15 a.m. Saturday, police said.

"Unfortunately this mad man was not kept behind bars where apparently he should have been kept, and unfortunately we have a young girl who is now dead," Vega said.

Two other cafe employees escaped out the back.

Uslan had been obsessed with Carleo since she started dating his son two years ago, and the teen eventually sought a restraining order against him, family members said.

"If he couldn't have her, no one else could have her," her aunt, Barbara Martin, told The Tribune for Sunday's editions.

Uslan was registered as a sexual offender in Florida because of a previous conviction of providing obscene material to a minor. ..more.. by FOX News


Sex offender kills teen, self after standoff
7-16-2006 Florida:

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. A 17-year-old Florida girl is dead, victim of a registered sex offender who police say was obsessed with the teen-ager and had been harassing her.

After an hourlong standoff with police in Port St. Lucie, 42-year-old Scott Uslan then killed himself.

Police arrested Uslan last Wednesday after he started making harassing phone calls to Brittany Carleo. But he posted bond and was out of jail on Thursday.

Yesterday, he got a gun and went to the smoothie cafe where Carleo worked and shot her dead.

Police spokesman Rob Vega says it was unfortunate that what he calls "this mad man" was not kept behind bars. Uslan was a registered sex offender because of a previous conviction for providing obscene material to a minor.

Carleo's relatives say Uslan became obsessed with her after she started dating his son two years ago. She eventually got a restraining order. ..more..

CO- Details from Colo. school shooting emerge

Posted in Related Deaths

9-28-2006 Colorado:

53-year-old shooter’s attack was ‘sexual in nature,’ sheriff says

BAILEY, Colo. - The gunman who killed a student and committed suicide during a high school standoff methodically selected six girls as hostages — apparently favoring blondes — and sexually assaulted at least some of them, authorities and witnesses said Thursday.

Sheriff Fred Wegener said the assaults went beyond touching or fondling.

“It was pretty horrific,” Wegener said.

"He did traumatize and assault our children," he added. "I'll only say that it's sexual in nature."

The killer was identified as 53-year-old Duane Morrison, a petty criminal who had a Denver address but had apparently been living in his battered yellow Jeep when he walked inside the school Wednesday with two handguns and a backpack that he claimed contained a bomb. Investigators did not immediately say what was in the backpack.

Authorities said they knew of no connection between Morrison, his hostages or anyone else at Platte Canyon High School in this mountain town of about 3,500.

During the siege, he took the girls hostage in a second-floor classroom and eventually released four of them. Morrison, still holding two girls, soon cut off contact and warned that “something would happen at 4 o’clock,” authorities said.

About a half-hour before the deadline, a SWAT team used explosives to blow a hole in a classroom wall in hopes of getting a clear shot at him, but they couldn’t see him through the gap, and they blew the door off the hinges to get inside, said Lance Clem, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.

Morrison fired at the SWAT officers, shot 16-year-old Emily Keyes in the back of the head as she tried to run away, and then killed himself, authorities said. During the lightning-fast gun battle, police said, they shot Morrison several times.

'We had to go try and save them'
A sorrowful Wegener defended the decision to try to take Morrison by force.

“My decision was to either wait, with the possibility of having two dead hostages, or act to try and save what I feared he would do to them,” the sheriff said. “We have confirmed he did traumatize and assault our children. ... This is why I made the decision I did.

“We had to go try and save them.”

Classes were canceled for the rest of the week as the community tried to come to grips with the bloodshed, which evoked memories of the 1999 shooting rampage at Columbine High School, less than an hour’s drive away, that left 15 dead.

“This is — this is something that has changed my school, changed my community,” the sheriff said. “My small county’s gone.”

Teen's text-message
Louis Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Keyes family, said the girl’s father was among scores of parents anxiously awaiting word from their children inside the school during the standoff. John Keyes had just bought Emily and her twin brother cell phones for their 16th birthdays.

“How are U?” a volunteer text-messaged Keyes on her father’s behalf.

At 1:52 p.m., she messaged back, “I love you guys.”

Police stormed into the classroom less than two hours later.

“In memory of Emily we would like everyone to go out and do random acts of kindness, random acts of love to your friends or your neighbors or your fellow students because there is no way to make sense of this,” Gonzalez said. “It’s what Emily would have wanted.”

Residents gathered at the Platte Canyon Christian Church for support and others stopped by the cafe where Keyes had worked for about two years.

“It’s very sad here. You know, the family lost their daughter but as a community, we lost a child,” said Bobbi Sterling, a waitress and cook. “We’re just sitting here, numb and in shock. We’re all just kind of stunned.” ..more.. by MSNBC

FL- Child porn suspect commits suicide in Cape Coral

Agents at door to make arrest hear a gunshot

2-29-2008 Florida:

The evidence was there: a computer hard drive packed with images of child pornography.

All federal agents needed Wednesday morning when they approached Timothy Larner's door in Cape Coral was to get their suspect into custody.

As they announced their presence, Larner picked up a gun and ended his life.

Douglas Molloy, chief assistant U.S. attorney, said federal agents had seized the 41-year-old's computer in November. They believed he had been downloading child porn for at least three years, Molloy said.

A grand jury indicted Larner on Wednesday, Molloy said.

"There were thousands of images, and they involved prepubescent children," Molloy said.

Larner faced at least one charge of possessing child pornography. He had no prior criminal record, and he wasn't a labeled sex offender in Florida or his home state of Massachusetts. If Larner had been named a sex offender, he would've faced at least 20 years in prison.

Cape Coral police were called to 1624 Orchid Blvd. around 7:30 a.m. Thursday after the two federal agents approached the house, identified themselves and heard a gunshot. The officers found Larner dead inside, Cape Coral police spokeswoman Dyan Lee said.

Jodie Tripanier, Larner's ex-wife, is reeling.

"I'm still trying to put things together, because it's all a big mystery," she said. "He was a great person to me. Very good. He wasn't violent, and as far as I know, he never owned a gun. That was a shocker to me.

"He always went to work, paid

his bills. Reliable. Honest. He never cheated on me. He must have been depressed. He must have just snapped."

The two were married in September 2004 and divorced in June of last year, according to Lee County Clerk of Courts records. Tripanier said the divorce was amicable.

"I was more outgoing, and he was more of a homebody," she said. "But we were still friends. I told him if he ever needed anything to call me."

She said Larner was an Army veteran. He had been a truck driver for several years, but lately had been a well driller. She said his family lives in Massachusetts, and he had been estranged from them for about a decade.

Larner's neighbors said they never saw him much.

"It's just a scary thing for the people around here who have kids," said Tina Mills. "I have grandchildren, so it really bothers me."

Tripanier said investigators told her they found a four-page letter Larner had written to her. She won't be allowed to see the letter until the investigation is completed.

She's eager to read it because she's hoping to find some answers.

"He was never really around children, but he loved children as far as I know," she said.

"It was like a dark secret that I never knew." ..more.. by Rachel Myers

AK- Man linked to sex abuse case commits suicide

2-28-2008 Alaska:

PALMER - A Valley man committed suicide Wednesday afternoon after Alaska State Troopers contacted him as part of an investigation of sexual abuse of a minor, according to troopers.

Troopers say Michael Able, 59, died of a self-inflicted gunshot at 4:50 p.m.

Troopers learned earlier in the day that he was suicidal and were in the area when Able drove away from his home.

When he noticed officers, Able stopped his vehicle on the roadway and shot himself, according to a trooper press release.

Troopers' spokeswoman Megan Peters said the sexual abuse allegations and the investigation were relatively new, possibly as early as the first of the week. Peters had no other information by early this afternoon.

Jon Owen, head of public safety in Palmer, said his officers were not involved because the incident happened outside the city limits. ..more.. by Anchorage Daily News

Selwyn House offers $5M to settle sex abuse scandal

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Police: Man Admitted To Sexual Abuse Before Dying in Crash

Crash Victim Is Registered Sex Offender
2-19-2008 Ohio:

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio -- A deadly crash in Belmont County Monday took a bizarre twist. Deputies said the driver, 44-year-old Charles Lewis, called police minutes before the crash and admitted he sexually abused two small children.

"He made some indications that he had committed a sex crime against two very small children. Needless to say we were out the door heading his way rather quickly," said Detective Ryan Allar, of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies said after making the phone call, Lewis had a confrontation with his girlfriend. After that, he got into his van and drove away leaving a note behind.

Just a few minutes later, police found his van in a cemetery. Lewis had crashed it into a tree and died.

Deputies are still investigating the case and said more details will be coming out this week. ..more.. by John Paul, NEWS9

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Sex Offender Death Sparks Registration Questions

2-20-2008 Ohio:

A sex offender committed suicide and deputies said in doing so revealed potential issues in the offender monitoring system.

Charles Lewis, 44, committed suicide Monday after not only calling in a confession to police, but also writing one to his girlfriend, admitting to sexually abusing a 5- and 7-year-old girl.

Before, earlier in the month of February, Lewis had been ranked a "Tier Three" sex offender. Sheriff Fred Thompson told NEWS9 "Tier Three" offenders are the most dangerous of all sexual predators.

Deputies said Lewis qualified as a "Tier Three" offender due to a previous rape conviction in the state of West Virginia, also against a young girl.

However, at the time of Lewis' suicide, deputies said brought on by yet another violent, sexual act, against children, he was not being followed, not registering and not doing other things deputies said "Tier Three" offenders are normally required to do.

Detective Ryan Allar said due to the fact that Lewis, and other offenders, are filing complaints about their status with the court, they're being placed on what's called a "Temporary Stay" list.

While on that "Temporary Stay" list Allar said the hands of law enforcement are tied, and Lewis' case proves that: "Lewis was living in a house with two small children after being convicted of a crime with small children and there's nothing we could've done to him for living with them."

Allar said the court is moving through the cases on the "Temporary Stay" list as quickly as possible, so that all offenders who belong in the tier system will be on it again soon. ..more.. by Ashley Koe, NEWS9

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More Details Come To Light On Belmont County Suicide-By-Vehicle
2-20-2008 Ohio:

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio -- The most compelling piece of evidence in the Charles Lewis case has come to the attention of 7 News.

It's the audiotape of the call Lewis made to Belmont County Central Dispatch.

Lewis had apparently just confessed to his girlfriend and decided to confess to the Belmont County Sheriff's Department as well.

He starts by asking the dispatcher to send someone to an address on Centerville-Jacobsburg Road.

The dispatcher asks what is wrong.

"Uh, I need you to come and arrest me," Lewis said.

"Arrest you for what?" asks the dispatcher.

"Child molestation," he replies.

He gave his name as Charles Lewis.

His girlfriend could be heard crying in the background as Lewis continued asking to be arrested.

The dispatcher asks him to stay on the line, but his girlfriend, who had apparently just discovered that Lewis had been molesting her daughters, takes the phone.

At some points, she is screaming at Lewis in the background.

"How long has this been going on?" she asks him. "You lied! Get out of my house or I'll kill you myself!"

Responding to something Lewis apparently says in the background, she shrieks to the dispatcher, "He just admitted he's been doing it for an (expletive deleted )year!"

She begins to sob on the phone.

Again, she responds to something he apparently says in the background.

"No, you're not. Get out!"

The dispatcher asks what Lewis said to her.

"He's sorry," she answers. "He ain't sorry! He's been doing it for a year. He just admitted it to me."

The girlfriend begs the dispatcher to send deputies quickly and get Lewis out of the house before her little girls get home from school.

The dispatcher assures her the deputies would be right out.

However, in the meantime, Lewis apparently decided not to turn himself in.

When deputies arrived, he was gone.

A short time later, he was found dead, having smashed his van into a tree in a cemetery.

The Ohio Highway Patrol ruled it a suicide. ..more.. by D.K. Wright

Man dies in Augusta police station

2-15-2008 Maine:

AUGUSTA -- A convicted sex offender recently released from jail died early Sunday in the public bathroom at the Augusta Police Department.

The official cause of death is not yet known, and the state's medical examiner is looking into the death as a possible suicide.

Dean Sawyer, 51, who showed addresses in Augusta and Casco, was released from jail last week after serving a sentence for failing to register with sex offender registries in Augusta and Chelsea.

After spending one night at Togus Gate Lodge on Eastern Avenue, Sawyer was without a place to sleep Saturday, according to Augusta police.

Sawyer was allowed to spend the night in the lobby of the police station to stay warm, police Sgt. Chris Massey said. He was not in custody.

Early Sunday morning, the dispatcher on duty noticed Sawyer had been absent from the lobby for several hours, Massey said. His belongings remained in the lobby.

The dispatcher notified the supervising officer, who found Sawyer dead in the bathroom. ..more.. by Kennebec Journal

Inmate commits suicide at regional jail

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Collins' death was suicide: coroner

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TX- Suspect in sexual assaults kills himself

2-13-2008 Texas:

A man wanted in Grapevine on suspicion of sexually assaulting three young boys killed himself Tuesday in North Dakota when police there tried to arrest him, officials said.

The Minot, N.D., officers were trying to serve 58-year-old Arthur Naumann of Grapevine with a Texas arrest warrant for three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, authorities said.

Minot police Chief Jeff Balentine told The Associated Press that Naumann fled back into a mobile home when officers tried to arrest him. The officers heard a single shot, Balentine said. After a five-hour standoff and numerous attempts to contact Naumann, police entered and found him dead with a gunshot wound to the head, Balentine said.

Grapevine detectives began investigating Naumann after the children came forward in December, Grapevine police spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Smith said. The assaults allegedly happened between August and December, Smith said.

In order to preserve the boys' anonymity, police are not releasing how Naumann gained access to the victims.

"After we heard what happened in North Dakota, our case is now closed," Smith said.

Naumann had no criminal history in Tarrant County, according to court records. He was also not listed in the state's sex offender registry. ..more.. by MARK AGEE, 817-685-3821

Defendant kills self before mistrial ruling

2-8-2008 Washington:

A Yacolt man committed suicide before a jury finished deliberations in his sex abuse trial, a Clark County judge said Thursday.

David E. Martin, 47, was out of custody while on trial, which began Monday in Superior Court.

Martin was accused of raping and molesting a relative in 2005, when the girl was 12 and had traveled from Utah to spend the summer with Martin and his wife.

The 12-member jury began deliberations at approximately 1:40 p.m. Wednesday and was sent home at 5 p.m.

Jurors returned to court Thursday morning, but after two hours could not reach a verdict.

The foreman was emphatic that the group would not be able to reach a unanimous decision, said Judge John Nichols.

Nichols declared a mistrial at 11 a.m. Thursday.

He said he told Deputy Prosecutor Tonya Riddell and defense attorney Paul Bruce to return to court at 2:30 p.m. to schedule a new trial.

Nichols told Bruce, who said he'd left messages for Martin, to track down his client.

Bruce later called Nichols' office and said Martin had killed himself.

According to court documents filed last summer, Martin worked as a salesman at a Longview car dealership. When he was booked into the Clark County Jail he said he suffered from depression.

Martin's 23-year-old wife killed herself a year ago, Nichols said. ..more.. by Stephanie Rice can be contacted at 360-735-4549 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.



Yacolt man kills self before jury deadlocks in his trial
2-8-2008 Washington:

A Yacolt man on trial for child rape and molestation was found dead Thursday, having committed suicide before a jury was dismissed after becoming deadlocked on his verdict.

David E. Martin, 47, did not answer calls Thursday morning to come to Clark County Superior Court when the jury stalled, said Paul Bruce, his Vancouver attorney.

The jury began deliberations Wednesday afternoon but did not reach a decision on whether Martin was guilty of five counts of second-degree rape of a child and one count of second-degree child molestation, Bruce said. The charges involved a 12-year-old girl.

The jury reconvened Thursday morning, but members later notified the judge they could not agree on a verdict. Judge John F. Nichols declared a mistrial at 11 a.m.

Bruce said he received a call later Thursday from Martin's brother, saying Martin was dead of an overdose. He apparently killed himself sometime Wednesday night, Bruce said.

Martin's wife, Ashley, 23, committed suicide on Jan. 30, 2007, Bruce said. ..more.. by Holley Gilbert; holleygilbert@news.oregonian.com

Suspected paedophile priest kills himself

2-5-2008 Switzerland:

A priest from Fribourg accused of sexually abusing children has committed suicide using his army gun, the police confirmed on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old shot himself in the heart early on Sunday evening, said Pascal Luthi, spokesperson for canton Neuchâtel police, confirming a report in the French-language Le Matin newspaper.

The priest left behind a message criticising the media. Since December several cases of child sexual abuse have come to light in western Switzerland. The priest's case had appeared last week in several newspapers and an internet blog was set up to try to uncover the priest's identity.

The priest had not been the subject of any police inquiry, Luthi explained. In 2001 an official complaint was lodged against him for sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s. The Fribourg courts closed the case owing to the statute of limitations.

The man had been treated medically and was closely monitored by his hierarchy and kept away from children within the church.

On February 1, the Catholic bishop for western Switzerland gave a press conference in Fribourg in which he asked forgiveness from victims of paedophile priests.

Bernard Genoud, who represents the diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, said the Church had set up an independent commission of experts to gather information on abuse and strengthen prevention. ..more.. by SwissInfo.ch

Sex Abuse Suspect Kills Self After Spencer, IA Standoff

1-31-2008 Iowa:

A man sought for a sexual abuse in Wyoming committed suicide after a standoff with police at a hotel in Spencer.

A little after 10:30 Thursday morning, four Spencer Police officers tried to serve a warrant to 49-year-old Allen Harman, who was staying at the Americ-Inn in Spencer.
The officers talked with harman, who did identify himself. But, After several conversations, Harman denied living in Wyoming, or having any warrants for his arrest. Police then asked him to step out of the room.

Mark Lawson, Spencer Chief of Police, says,"After several more requests officers heard what they though what they first through was a muffled gunshot and then 30 seconds later, they heard two more definite gunshots."

After the shots were fired, officers then called for back up and law enforcement officials locked down the motel and evacuated guests and staff.

Officers used a pole camera to see into the second story room and the camera showed the suspect laying on the bed not moving.

Lawson, say,"There was a hand gun nearby, he wasn't moving. Based on this information, it appeared that he had taken his own life and then officers breached the door and confirmed that finding."

Lawson says Harman was wanted in Wyoming for sexual abuse of a minor.

Spencer Police are still investigating this death and they are working with the Clay County Attorney, D-C-I and Wyoming officials. ..more.. by KTIV NewsChannel 4

Substitute teacher charged with lewd acts commits suicide

1-31-2008 Florida:

THE VILLAGES – A 65-year-old former substitute teacher accused of molesting an 8-year-old elementary school girl was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound this afternoon as sheriff's investigators were preparing to arrest him on charges involving two children at a different school.

Jerry Michael Bounds was found dead shortly after noon inside the bathtub at his home, at 7115 S.E. 173rd Arlington Loop in The Villages, by a neighbor who had gone to check on him, officials said.

A relative, who has been trying to reach Bounds, called the neighbor and asked the person to check on him.

Sheriff’s dispatchers received a 911 call about the suicide at 12:31 p.m. It is not clear when he committed suicide.

Bounds was arrested Tuesday by Belleview Police Detective Jimmie Sparrow, and he was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12. The child attends Belleview Elementary School.

He was released at 6:54 p.m. Tuesday after posting $30,000 bond.

Sheriff’s detectives were going to charge him with one count of lewd and lascivious battery on a child under 12 and one count of lewd and lascivious behavior on a child under 12. Both children attended Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School, according to officials.

Detectives say it appears Bounds shot himself with a small-caliber revolver. He reportedly used a water bottle to muffle the sound, officials said. Detectives are unsure where he was shot, saying they’re awaiting the arrival of the Medical Examiner’s Office before examining the body.

Authorities said Bounds left at least two notes, one a sealed note addressed to the Marion County School Board and the other intended for his family. In the unsealed note, he said goodbye to his family and said he didn’t do anything wrong.

Schools where Bounds has been a substitute over the past year are Belleview Elementary School, Belleview-Santos Elementary School, Harbour View Elementary School, Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School, Belleview Middle and High schools and Forest High School.

According to Marion County Public Schools spokesman Kevin Christian, Bounds resigned Jan. 22.

This morning, Marion County school principals met with Marion County Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey to go over procedures for reporting abuse.

"The Superintendent wanted to reinforce any time that they suspect any abuse to report it immediately," said School Board Spokesman Kevin Christian.

Principals were told to report any incidents directly to the district and to the Department of Children and Families. ..more.. by AUSTIN L. MILLER



Substitute teacher accused of fondling girl kills himself

2-1-2008 Florida:

Detectives were on way to home to charge man with lewd acts at another school

THE VILLAGES - A substitute teacher who was accused earlier this week of molesting an 8-year-old girl at Belleview Elementary School apparently committed suicide Thursday as law enforcement officers were on their way to his home to arrest him on additional charges.

A neighbor found Jerry Michael Bounds dead shortly after noon at his home, at 7115 S.E. 173rd Arlington Loop in The Villages. He had been arrested Tuesday on the Belleview charge and was out on $30,000 bail.

Marion County sheriff's detectives were on their way to his home to arrest him on charges of committing lewd acts on two students at Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary when they got the call at 12:31 p.m. that Bounds was dead.

The charges and the suicide stunned Bounds' neighbors. Donna LaBresh, who along with another neighbor discovered Bounds' body, said she was "dumbfounded" by the turn of events.

LaBresh said Bounds' wife, Jodie, called her twice Thursday, asking her to check on her husband of 16 years. Jodie Bounds was out of town visiting her daughter and a grandchild.

LaBresh said she entered the house through the garage once, around 9 a.m. but didn't see anything amiss and thought he might be sleeping. Around 12:30 p.m., she and another neighbor found him in a bathtub with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"It doesn't make sense, he's not that type of guy," she said.

Detectives say it appears Bounds shot himself in the neck with a .22-caliber H&R handgun, using a water bottle to muffle the sound. It was unclear when Bounds took his life, but officials said they will know more after an autopsy is performed.

Authorities said Bounds left a sealed note addressed to the Marion County School Board and other notes addressed to family members. He apologized to his family members and maintained his innocence, according to sheriff's detectives. Bounds also stated he didn't want to spend time in prison and sought forgiveness for taking his life.

In his note to the School Board, he asked that his 401(k) retirement account be closed.

In another development, the Star-Banner learned that Stanton-Weirsdale's principal has been placed on administrative leave for failing to report the allegations of the two other students who accused Bounds of molestation.

Belleview police Detective Jimmy Sparrow noted in his report that when Bounds contacted the department about the inquiry at Belleview Elementary, he volunteered the information about the accusations at Stanton-Weirsdale. Bounds said Principal Donald Zaharias found the allegations to be "unfounded."

Zaharias told police he didn't report his students' allegations because the girls later said they had made up the story.

Zaharias said Assistant Principal Phyllis Hughes had handled most of the inquiry. Hughes said the girls recanted their stories when they were questioned by her and the guidance counselor.

Christian said Zaharias has been placed on paid administrative leave until the Belleview police investigation is complete.

On Monday, sheriff's detective Larry McCardle questioned the two girls at Stanton-Weirsdale and both said Bounds had touched them in September.

Detectives were convinced there was enough evidence to arrest Bounds.

"The acts are all similar in nature and are all alleged [to] have been committed in the middle of class at the teacher's desk by the defendant," Sparrow noted in his report.

Schools where Bounds has been a substitute over the past year are Belleview Elementary School, Belleview-Santos Elementary School, Harbour View Elementary School, Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School, Belleview Middle and High schools and Forest High School.

Christian said Bounds last day was Dec. 12. When school officials heard of the allegations on Jan. 3, he said Bounds was immediately placed on an inactive list.

Bounds retired to Florida after serving in thee Army and working for Revlon in Ohio. He lived in The Villages, where he was an assistant girls tennis coach at The Villages Charter High School. Gary Lester, spokesman for The Villages did not return phone calls to the Star-Banner.

The Marion county School Board hired Bounds in 2005 first to be a volleyball coach at Vanguard High School. In 2006, Bounds completed a 12-hour substitute teacher training course and received his substitute certificate to teach in Marion County.

Ed McPadden, Vanguard's athletic director, said he was not aware of any improprieties at his school.

"Volleyball was not going in the direction we wanted it to go in. Jerry stepped down in November of last year."

After Bound's arrest Tuesday, his attorney, Kevin Beck, had issued a statement saying, "We deny the allegation and we expect the process will absolve him." Bounds declined a request from the Star-Banner for an interview.

Thursday morning, Marion County school principals met with Marion County Superintendent of Schools Jim Yancey to go over procedures for reporting abuse.

"The superintendent wanted to reinforce any time that they suspect any abuse to report it immediately," said School Board Spokesman Kevin Christian.

Principals were told to report any incidents directly to the district and to DCF. ..Source.. by Joe VanHoose