RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A California man was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison for abusing foster children he had assigned to care for in his home, including some who had been previously tortured by their parents.
Marcelino Olguin, 65, was handcuffed and led away by sheriff's deputies in a courtroom in Riverside after a brief sentencing hearing. Olguin previously pleaded guilty to lewd acts on a child, false imprisonment and injuring a child, while his wife, Rosa, and adult daughter, Lennys, pleaded guilty to child cruelty. The women were each sentenced to four years of formal probation.
“Today’s sentencing marks a significant step in delivering justice to the victims who endured unimaginable abuse,” Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement. “These children were placed in a position of vulnerability after surviving intense trauma, only to be further exploited by someone who was entrusted with their care."
Attorneys for the Olguins said the plea arrangement allowed for the women to be spared prison time.
“My client saved his family,” Paul Grech, Marcelino Olguin's lawyer, said after the hearing. He declined to discuss the case further.
The Olguin family was tasked with caring for the children after they were rescued from horribly abusive conditions in their parents' home in the Southern California community of Perris. Their parents, David and Louise Turpin, pleaded guilty in 2019 to torture and years of abuse that included shackling some of their 13 children and starving them and providing only a minimal education. The Turpin parents were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
On Friday, a victim's advocate read to the court a statement prepared by one of the Turpin children who had stayed in the Olguins' home.
“All I wanted was to finally have a loving family and to recover from my trauma, but unfortunately I did not receive that,” the statement said. The victim, who was not named, is still recovering and learning to trust, but forgives the family in an act of faith, the statement said.
A report found that the social service system failed the Turpin children, who ranged in age from 2 to 29 when they were rescued by authorities from their parents’ home after their 17-year-old sister escaped and called 911. Eventually six of the children were placed with the Olguins.
Attorneys representing some of the Turpin children filed a civil lawsuit against Riverside County alleging the Olguins abused minors in their care. The couple hit the children in the face with sandals, pulled their hair, forced them to eat their own vomit and made them sit in a circle and recount the trauma they had experienced in their parents' home, the attorneys wrote in the lawsuit filed in 2022. The suit also accused Marcelino Olguin of sexual abuse.
Kia Feyzjou, who represented Lennys Olguin, said some of the allegations may have been a “little exaggerated” but winning a case with so much public scrutiny would have been difficult. Doug Ecks, who represented Rosa Olguin, said his client and her daughter might be seen as enablers but didn't face charges of abuse to the same extent.
“When there was a resolution that involved no custody, that seemed in the best interest of everybody,” Ecks said.
FILE - Neighbors write down messages for the Turpin's children on the front door of the home of David and Louise Turpin where police arrested the couple accused of holding 13 children captive in Perris, Calif., Jan. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Since 2002, foster parents Mrs Ip and her husband have opened their hearts and home to nine foster children, including the two currently under their care. Many of these children have special needs, but for Mrs Ip, fostering is more than just a career, it is a calling.
Screenshot from news.gov.hk.
“When children feel that you treasure them, they will treasure you in return. I wish them all a happy ever after, and I will take care of them. I will not leave them.”
Mrs Ip cherishes every memory of her foster children, carefully keeping thank you cards and student handbooks as mementos of their time together. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “Most of the foster children were raised by me since they were just babies. It is hard to let them go. Watching them improve brings me great joy. Helping them become healthier and learn is truly fulfilling. This is a vocation.”
Unforgettable moments
Mrs Ip recounted both the joys and challenges of fostering, in particular, a special two-month-old baby girl.
“As soon as I started caring for her, I realised she was experiencing severe asthma at night. Despite multiple consultations with a paediatrician and several hospital visits, her condition did not improve. Eventually, after discussing with a social worker, further examinations revealed the baby had a lung disease.
“It was difficult, but the process taught me so much about perseverance and love,” Mrs Ip said.
She also shared the story of a baby boy she cared for since he was less than a month old. Now 17, the boy has moved into a hostel but still visits frequently.
“He comes back for a ‘staycation’ every week. He loves the room I reserved for him, filled with his favourite cartoons. He always says he will take care of us in the future, which makes us so happy.”
Screenshot from news.gov.hk.
Positive impact
Fostering has not only impacted the lives of the children Mrs Ip has cared for but also her own family. Her husband and two sons have played an important role in supporting her journey.
“My sons treasure the foster children. When they go out, they walk hand in hand, just like elder brothers. I have been able to foster for so long thanks to their support.”
Her youngest son has even chosen a career in special education, a path Mrs Ip believes may have been influenced by their fostering experiences.
Fostering incentive
Foster care services in Hong Kong are provided by 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) overseen by the Social Welfare Department’s (SWD) Central Foster Care Unit.
To encourage more people to become foster parents, the SWD nearly doubled the incentive payment for foster families in April. This led to a 35% increase in fostering enquiries from April to November compared to the same period last year. By the end of November, over 1,000 registered foster families were providing care for children in need.
According to Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee, anyone who is healthy, committed to providing love and time for foster children, and can offer a safe living environment may apply to become a foster parent.
“Any adult, regardless of their sex, marital or employment status, can apply. Applicants must complete a home suitability assessment and pre-service training to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care.”
Foster homes must meet specific safety requirements, such as installing window grilles or safety devices for balconies. They must also provide adequate living space, including separate beds and activity areas for the children.
Support network: Foster parent Mrs Ip acknowledges that without her family’s support, it would have been difficult for her to serve as a foster parent for 22 years. Source from news.gov.hk
Tailored support
Foster parents receive a monthly incentive payment based on the type of service they provide, with additional payments for caring for children with special needs or those under the age of six.
To support foster families, the Central Foster Care Unit and 11 Foster Care Agencies offer professional assistance. Social workers conduct regular home visits, interviews, and phone check-ins to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide guidance to foster parents. For children with special educational needs, social workers also offer tailored advice, parenting support and psychological consultation services, ensuring the well-being of both the children and their caregivers.
Full assistance: Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee says social workers regularly contact foster families to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide appropriate support. Source from news.gov.hk
