Foster parent sentenced to life in child abuse case

FORT SMITH, Ark.—An Arkansas man accused of sexually abusing children living in his foster or adoptive home has been sentenced to life in prison.

Clarence Garretson, 66, received his punishment Wednesday. He was given the life sentence on one count of interstate transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was sentenced to additional prison time on four other counts of the same charge and will serve that as part of the life term.

“The FBI investigation showed a failure of the system, and it’s had a devastating effect on the people involved,” said Chief Judge P.K. Holmes III.

For 18 years, Garretson and his wife, Lisa Garretson, hosted 35 children. Fourteen of those children who were placed at their home for protection against abuse and neglect became victims of sexual abuse.

Lisa Garretson wasn’t charged in the case.

Holmes said Clarence Garretson “committed torture and sexual assault” and did so “under the guise of being a foster parent and adoptive parent.” He added that the Arkansas Department of Human Services failed the children and further victimized them.

Clarence Garretson pleaded guilty to the charges in October.

The Department of Human Services said in a statement that it would “never intentionally put a child in harm’s way.”

“Sadly, there are people who prey upon children and may try to use the foster system to do so,” the department said. “When that happens today, we act swiftly to ensure the youth in foster care are in safe homes.”