Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Male caseworker who sexually abused female client has FULL CUSTODY of resulting child despite pressuring her to have abortion; client then lost custody of other children to state though child maltreatment allegations found to be without merit (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Outrageous even by Dastardly standards, which is a pretty high bar. The male caseworker sexually abused a female client under investigation for child maltreatment. The allegations were found to be without merit--though he never told her. She got pregnant, he pressured her to have an abortion. She refused. So he retaliated by having her kids taken away from her and put in state custody.

And sexual abuser (and less than enthusiastic father-to-be) has FULL CUSTODY of the resulting baby! How the hell did that happen? Who was responsible for that?
There is NO INDICATION here that custodial dad (and rapist) PETER J. NELSEN is losing custody any time soon, or that this mother will have any of her children returned to her. This is just about the state agency he worked for and whether she is entitled to monetary damages. Just sickening.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/woman-seeks-damages-from-caseworker-who-fathered-her-child-b99357097z1-276398261.html

Woman seeks damages from caseworker who fathered her child
 She seeks $15 million in federal trial in Milwaukee

By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 22, 2014

An emotionally troubled woman who was impregnated by a state social worker sent to her home to investigate an allegation of child maltreatment is seeking $15 million in damages in a trial that began Monday in federal court.

The caseworker, Peter J. Nelsen, testified Monday that he repeatedly had sexual relations with the woman, Theola Nealy, and then, when she became pregnant, pressured her to have an abortion.

Nealy refused. Within weeks, Nelsen's employer — the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare — placed her two children in state custody. They have never been reunited.

Nealy gave birth to a daughter on Aug. 19, 2008. Nelsen retains full custody of the child.

The case is being tried before U.S. District Judge Charles Clevert. Most facts are not in dispute.

What is in dispute is whether Nelsen was acting in the scope of his employment as an initial assessment worker for the state-run bureau. If so, the state would be liable for damages he inflicted.

Nelsen, who now works as a janitor, has little money and is in effect judgment-proof. He is not putting on a defense.

The state, represented by Monica A. Burkert Brist, and Nealy, represented Joy Bertrand and Elizabeth Fernandez, have agreed:

Nelsen was assigned by the bureau to investigate an allegation of maltreatment involving Nealy's two children in the summer of 2007. Though Nelsen concluded that the allegations were without merit, he did not immediately tell Nealy.

The bureau received another allegation of maltreatment later that summer. Although another bureau worker was assigned the case, Nelsen told Nealy he would handle it. That allegation was also found to be without merit.

Nelsen continued to visit Nealy's home. Though uncomfortable with his visits, Nealy allowed them, afraid he had the power to put her children in state custody.

Nelsen began to have sex with Nealy in the fall of 2007.

That spring, a caseworker for Wisconsin Works demanded that the pregnant Nealy tell her the name of the father. Afraid her benefits would be cut or denied, Nealy told her Nelsen's name and that he was a social worker. Both the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare and Wisconsin Works are administered by the state Department of Children and Families.

Nelsen, a 12-year veteran of the bureau, was allowed to resign in April 2009.

Under state law, the bureau was required to report Nelsen to the Department of Regulation and Licensing, but it failed to do so until contacted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The trial, which is before a jury of six men and six women, is expected to last through Thursday.

Nealy is expected to testify Tuesday.