Odd case:
LMPD: Boys' Haven worker turns himself in on sex chargesWDRB, August 16, 2011"I am denying you a bail credit because I think you are a risk to the community." Stern words from a judge who also ordered Lyle Kenobbie to stay away from his alleged victim and other children. Kenobbie worked at a shelter for troubled youth, turned himself in to police, and now faces sex charges.
Police say he admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a foster child who was under his care. The sexual activity allegedly included oral sodomy, fondling, and anal sodomy. He also allegedly told police that he was suicidal.
Kenobbie was arrested Monday night and charged with four counts of sodomy and two counts of sexual abuse.
LMPD spokesperson Carey Klain says police are interviewing Kenobbie's past foster children to find any other possible victims which could take investigators all the way back to 1981. Kenobbie said during a 2005 interview with WDRB when he and his wife first became foster parents that he preferred fostering older children over babies, saying older children were often hard to place.
The arrest report indicates that Kenobbie worked at
Boys and Girls Haven, a local shelter for troubled youth located in the 2300 block of Goldsmith Lane, near Bardstown Road. The shelter's Web site says its mission is, "to shelter, heal, and teach young people to become productive and healthy members of our community."
The shelter serves both boys and girls.
A newsletter sent out by the shelter in Spring 2008 refers to him as the shelter's "chef" and states that he, "is practically an institution here at Boys' Haven, both in terms of his long tenure and in terms of his giant heart."
On Tuesday afternoon, Jeff Hadley, CEO of Boys and Girls Haven, sent WDRB a written statement about the arrest.
Statement from Boys and Girls Haven CEO Jeff Haley:
"We are saddened by the allegations against Mr. Kenobbie, and we accepted his resignation last night.
"For more than 60 years, Boys and Girls Haven has been deeply committed to protecting thousands of vulnerable children. We absolutely do not tolerate any behavior, alleged or substantiated, that compromises that trust.
"Mr. Kenobbie had been a long-time employee, serving as a food services supervisor. Three months ago, he became a foster parent for our agency after completing a battery of background checks.
"Our thoughts and concerns are with the young person involved. We will continue to work cooperatively with state child-welfare officials and law-enforcement personnel in this matter."
See also:
How Could You? Hall of Shame- Lyle "Craig" Kennobie UPDATED Posted by Rally, REFORM Talk, August 16, 2011