exposing the dark side of adoption
Register Log in

Man Accused Of Abusing Foster Kids To Stay In Jail

public

Man Accused Of Abusing Foster Kids To Stay In Jail

May 23, 2007

BELLA VISTA, Ark. -- A Bella Vista man accused of sexually abusing children in his care will not be let out of jail on bond.

Brian John Bergthold faces both state and federal charges. Back in February, he was released on a state bond shortly after an arrest, but last week he was arrested by federal officials.

The prosecution asked for federal bail not to be set so that Bergthold would remain behind bars until his trial. Bergthold was in federal court in Fort Smith on Wednesday.

He was a single male foster parent accused of abusing male children in his care. Prosecutors said some of the alleged abuse happened at his home in Bella Vista.

Prosecutors said they believe he abused six boys in a span of eight years, and some of the alleged abuse might have happened in other states.

Government attorneys questioned a special agent, who testified that after Bergthold was released on his state bond that he researched ways to leave the country, change his identity and use false social security numbers.

Bertghold's defense attorney said that while he might have looked at Web sites containing that kind of information, he didn't research it to a great extent.

Also, the prosecution said that Bergthold has been in recent contact with some of his alleged victims. Defense attorneys told the judge that Bergthold had turned himself in to authorities and cooperated with both the state and federal investigation.

Judge James Marschewski said that he was concerned the defendant might try to flee and ordered him to be detained until his trial. That trial date has not yet been set.

Bergthold will be held in the Benton County Jail.

2007 May 23