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Two foster parents accused of child abuse

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 27, 2008

By Richard Salit

Journal Staff Writer

BRISTOL — Two men who serve as foster parents have been arrested for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old, according to the police.

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, which conducted its own investigation and involved the police, took custody of two foster children and two adopted children from the same-sex couple’s home months before Friday’s arrests, according to an agency spokesman.

Yesterday, the two men, Sedonio Rodriques, 57, and Raymond Grenier, 53, both of 26 Sampson St., were arraigned in District Court, Providence. They face multiple counts of first-  and second-degree child molestation and attempted first-degree child molestation. They are being held without bail until a March 10 hearing.

The DCYF began its investigation after receiving a tip on its child abuse hotline in late November, said Kevin Aucoin, the agency’s executive counsel. The tip concerned the licensed foster home of Rodriques and Grenier, who had two adopted children and two foster children, he said.

A preliminary investigation concluded that the children were in “immediate peril,” said Aucoin. On Nov. 30, DCYF workers, escorted by Bristol police, removed the four children from the home. The DCYF continued its investigation.

“We were able to substantiate the facts as alleged,” Aucoin said.

At that point in a child abuse investigation, he said, the agency informs the police.

Aucoin said the two men, whom he identified as a same-sex couple, first obtained a foster care license in 2001. The license lapsed for several years before they obtained a new one last year, he said.

“They went through the rigors of the foster care licensing process both in 2001 and 2007,” he said, noting that the process involves interviews, home visits and background and criminal record checks. “There is absolutely nothing in their background that would have indicated these individuals would have been prone to this type of conduct.”

DCYF is in the process of revoking the couple’s foster care license, he said.

Aucoin would not disclose personal information about the two men. Lt. Nicholas Guercia said the police learned that the men were either masseuses or massage therapists.

The DCYF asked the police to participate during an interview with Rodriques and Grenier on Feb. 15.

“As a result of that portion of the investigation, the arrest warrants were issued,” Guercia said. “These allegations go back over a three-year period.”

Guercia said there have been no allegations that any other children were abused.

The police encountered no difficulty when they arrested the men at their home on Friday, he said.

rsalit@projo.com