Inaction Allowed Abuser To Roam For 10 Years.

TEXAS
Inaction Allowed Abuser To Roam For 10 Years. It took 10 years to jail James Plaisted for sexual abuse.

The child psychologist and deacon of Parkdale Baptist Church was first accused of sexual abuse in 1985 by a 6 year old patient. No action was taken when the boy's mother told other parents, the church and even schools officials about the abuse. Plaisted was acquitted in 1986 when he told a jury that the child was a habitual liar and a pyromaniac who derived sexual excitement from setting fires.

The "respected" psychologist was eagerly supplied with young patients referred by the Corpus Christi school district and local pediatricians. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison last January for a federal offense of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity. Nearly a year later Plaisted pleaded guilty to 5 counts of aggravated sexual assault against 4 girls and was sentenced to 40 years in state prison.

Court records indicate Plaisted was so brazen that he escorted girls into church and fondled them under his coat during the sermon. Source: Houston Chronicle 1/14/96