Caregiver admits abuse

Two young girls taken from their parents by Child, Youth and Family were placed with a man who sexually abused them - even though the service was warned that he wasn't a suitable caregiver.

One of the girls was videotaped naked as the CYF caregiver touched her on at least one occasion, while her sister was also videotaped naked, although no touching was captured on tape. A short video of the young boy - naked - was also found.

Before the abuse took place, the girls' parents, a National MP, and a priest who knew the caregiver, told CYF the man was not an appropriate person to look after the children.

The 44-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confessed his abuse when approached last week. He also admitted having CD collections of pornographic images, and regularly visiting internet sites dedicated to incest fantasies.

"I've never done it before and I'll never do it again. I made a mistake and I'll have to pay for it. I'm sorry [the girl] had to go through it."

Police have yet to charge him in relation to the allegations.

The caregiver said the film was a "four- to five-second video" of the 10-year-old girl, which included footage of him touching her, and "one or two" photographs of the 7-year-old girl naked.

A police spokeswoman said: "The file is currently with our legal section, who are determining the number and nature of charges he will face."

A spokeswoman for Child, Youth and Family said minister Ruth Dyson had asked CYF to investigate action taken following the allegations of abuse, as well as the procedures used for vetting caregivers. She expected a report in the next few weeks.

Lorraine Williams, general manager of operations for CYF, said an internal investigation was under way.

The girls, and a boy aged 4, were placed with the man and his wife last November after an anonymous tip that their parents were violent.

They were removed by CYF staff in May.

An affidavit by the leading social worker in the case stated the service had received 14 complaints about the family over 13 years.

It was concerns over these issues that led to court orders being sought, and granted, to take the children from the parents.

The father approached National's welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins for help after learning of the sexual abuse allegations. Mrs Collins said a police investigation should have been carried out.

"They have had their innocence ripped off them by someone who chose to abuse them, and by a Government department which was warned and did nothing."

The father said he and his wife objected to the children being placed with the man and woman, who are members of the extended family, after they were removed by CYF.

He said he was concerned about the man's interest in pornography and his attitude towards children.

CYF was also warned about the man by a priest who had helped the family, and by one of the children's teachers. National MP Paul Hutchison also conveyed the family's concerns to CYF.

Letters from Carl Morris, manager of the Papakura CYF office, acknowledge concerns in December and January, as do meeting minutes taken by the lead social worker.

Yet the children were left in the care of the family until the abuse was discovered, after a 19-year-old who boards with the man and his wife complained that the CYF caregiver had indecently assaulted her. She also told police the man had inappropriate photographs of children on the computer.

Police visited the house and confiscated the computer and CDs, interviewed the man at the station and charged him over the 19-year-old's complaint of indecent assault.

He is due to appear in court on August 3 on that charge.

The man said CYF had told him the girls were allowed to continue living at the house, but he had asked for them to be removed.

He told the Herald on Sunday he confessed to police, who were examining his computer, because he felt so bad about the situation. "I feel real stink about what happened."

Asked if he knew touching a naked young girl was inappropriate, he said: "I know."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY