HNewsWire-HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — A former Henderson County foster parent is sentenced to more than two years in prison on child sex charges, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of 28 counts of felony second-degree and third-degree exploitation of a minor.
Forsberg was also found guilty of possessing child pornography.
Former foster parent John Forsberg Jr., 44, of Hendersonville, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of 28 counts of felony second-degree and third-degree exploitation of a minor.
A grand jury indicted Forsberg, who was indicted in October by a grand jury, for a Fletcher investigation where investigators learned allegations he sexually abused a foster child in his care. Fletcher investigators said Forsberg was living with his wife and a second foster child at that time. His wife was not criminally charged, and the indictment records show only one child was the alleged victim. That child reportedly went to DSS with the allegations after being returned to family.
“Forsberg and his wife were living in Henderson County,” said Greg Newman, Henderson County’s district attorney. “Information surfaced that the foster kids spoke to members of our social service team and then made allegations about inappropriate touching of a sexual nature .”
Forsberg was charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child and arrested by the Fletcher Police Department last October. Investigators said Fletcher police then notified Henderson County sheriffs investigators that Forsberg had moved and there could be more to investigate. The detectives worked the case, and Forsberg was indicted on the child porn possession charges. Newman said the porn was discovered on his mobile phone.
Andi Craven, who works for Safelight, a child advocacy and domestic violence shelter in Hendersonville, reacted to the news of the original alleged abuse of a foster child by Forsberg.
“It is the most egregious breach in trust,” said Craven. “When a child is removed from their families of origin, and then placed with a family that’s supposed to keep them safe, and then to be violated in any way is just horrific.”
Craven was not surprised to hear of the additional felony charges.
“It’s also very frequent that you see somebody who’s a sex offender, who is also engaging in either the downloading or dissemination of child porn.”
Forsberg, who lived in an apartment in Henderson County, is being held in jail in lieu of a $760,000 secured bond.
He must register as a sex offender for 30 years.
The systems is broke,children are being abused at the hands of those entrusted to their safety.
StevieRay Hansen
HNewsWire Editor
Jesus come quick, there is nothing left in society that’s sacred….
