Foster Parent Accused of Sexual Battery

By: LOUISE NORDSTROM

Associated Press

A foster parent already jailed on child porn charges was accused of photographing himself involved in sex acts with a 2-year-old girl under his care, authorities said.

Robert R. Clinton, 51, was charged Thursday with sexual battery after investigators said they found 40 photos of him and the child in his living room. The Deltona resident was being held Friday at the Volusia County jail on $400,000 bail.

Clinton, an audio visual technician, told investigators that he was the man in the photos with the child and that he took the pictures by placing the camera on a table, sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson said.

The girl, now 3, was in Clinton's care for a few weeks last summer and has been receiving counseling and therapy, officials said.

Clinton has been in jail since last week, charged with having photographs of other children involved in sex acts. The pictures did not feature any of the 13 other children cared for by Clinton and his wife since they became licensed foster parents last June, authorities said.

Clinton's wife was not aware of the photos, officials said.

The state Department of Children & Families was reviewing whether background checks on the Clintons were performed properly.

Joe Quick, the public defender appointed for Clinton, did not immediately return a telephone message left Friday morning by The Associated Press.