Man Accused of Child Abuse an Approved Caregiver

Radio New Zealand
November 1, 2012

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/119716/man-accused-of-child-abuse-an-approved-caregiver

A Kaitaia man charged with indecently assaulting young boys was one of its approved caregivers, a government agency has confirmed.

However, Child, Youth and Family says the charges against him do not involve children it placed in his care.

Daniel Taylor appeared in the Kaitaia District Court on Thursday on 15 charges of indecent assault, and two of attempted unlawful sexual connection involving boys aged from under 12 to over 16. Police say the offending happened between 2007 and early 2011.

The 33-year-old former leader of the Kaitaia Business Association was also a prominent elder and youth leader in the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

Child, Youth and Family said on Thursday it is shocked at the allegations, but noted they do not arise from children it put in Mr Taylor's care.

Marion Heeney, the agency's Tai Tokerau director, said Daniel Taylor became one of its caregivers in April 2011 after passing all the required checks, but revoked this as soon as it became aware of the police investigation.

A Kaitaia woman and caregiver said she attended a church function at Mr Taylor's house in November last year and found that he had become the foster parent of a young boy.

She said Mr Taylor told her he had been a Child, Youth and Family approved respite caregiver for some time and the placement of the boy had become permanent.

The woman said she was surprised that it had approved a single man as the caregiver of children not related to him.

A suppression order on Mr Taylor's name was lifted when he appeared in court on Thursday. He did not enter a plea to the charges and was remanded in custody until 15 November.