4 More Victims Surface

By Millard K. Ives
Daily Commercial
July 22, 2012

http://www.dailycommercial.com/News/LakeCounty/072212molestation

A molestation investigation that shut down a Eustis day-care center on Thursday has led to similar accusations from four more victims, the Department of Children and Families reported Saturday.

According to a Lake County Sheriff's report, detectives began an investigation of Kenneth Hagins of Tavares after parents of a 5-year-old boy at Pat's Kidzworld Development in Eustis said on July 11 that he had been molested there by Hagins.

Carrie Hoeppner, a DCF spokeswoman, said allegations of sexual assault the day before were made against the same man by a developmentally disabled man at SunriseArc, a group home in Mount Dora.

However, Hoeppner said the investigation stemming from Pat's Kidzworld turned up three more juveniles and another adult who lodged molestation complaints against Hagins.

She said two of the juvenile victims are from Kidzworld.

The child reported that the molestation occurred about a month ago, and Hagins was a former employee of the day-care center at the time the allegation was made. It's not known if Hagins was terminated or left on his own, but Hoeppner said Kidzworld had their license revoked and shut down on Thursday after DCF determined that the owners were aware of the molestation accusations and failed to report them to the proper authorities.

Hagins was released from SunriseArc shortly after the accusations were reported there.

Hoeppner said DCF and the sheriff's office are working together to contact the parents of those children with whom the Hagins had access.

"The Department of Children and Families takes such allegations regarding children and vulnerable adults most seriously," Hoeppner said.

The child told officials he was molested during naptime when he was unable to go to sleep. The adult said he was in bed when Hagins approached him and initiated a sexual act.

According to a press release from DCF, Pat's Kidzworld Development has been in operation since 2003 with the capacity to serve 90 children. The last inspection report noted 24 children were enrolled at the facility.

Hoeppner said Hagins had nothing in his background that should have prevented him from being hired by the day care center.

Any parent wishing to report inappropriate contact with their child by Hagins should call 800-96ABUSE.

Department Secretary David Wilkins released this statement late Saturday:

"On July 11, the Florida Department of Children and Families and Lake County Sheriff's Office launched a joint investigation in response to

horrifying allegations of sexual abuse by a former employee at a licensed child care facility. Shortly after, additional reports of alleged sexual abuse surfaced in connection to the same individual at a Lake County group home for disabled adults. During the course of the investigation, the Department learned that the alleged perpetrator, also a youth pastor with Promise Land Ministries in Eustis, was employed at a child care facility as well as a group home for vulnerable adults. While six potential victims have been identified at this time, we anticipate more will come forward.

"A coordinated investigation among our own child and adult protective investigators and child care licensing team, along with multiple law enforcement organizations and the child protection team, is underway to ensure all potential victims are identified and receive any necessary help.

We also offer our full support to those investigating and prosecuting this case, asking that they pursue criminal charges to the fullest extent of the law.

"On July 19 at 5 p.m., at the request of the Department, the license for Pat's Kidz World Development Center was surrendered. This surrender was in place of an immediate revocation by the Department since child care providers are mandated and trained child abuse reporters. Failure to report alleged child abuse is considered an egregious offense.

"Given the nature of these allegations, our Department and law enforcement has begun to initiate contact with an additional 40 families whose children attended the child care facility. As the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, as well as a father, I am appalled not only by the allegations against a person of faith, but also the implication that previous similar concerns went unreported to officials. Such heinous failure to these children not only caused further harm, but allowed others to be victimized.

"Governor Rick Scott recently signed the toughest child abuse reporting law in the nation, ensuring that not only those who commit crimes against children face severe repercussions, but that those who fail to protect them from harm do as well.

"Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult should call the Florida's Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873."