Trial set in Illinois foster parent abuse case

Associated Press

MARION, Ill. (AP) - A 29-year-old southern Illinois foster parent will be tried in July on charges he had inappropriate sexual relations with 2 of his female foster children.

A July 13 pretrial hearing and July 21 trial were set Monday for Mark A. Ashby of Marion.

Williamson County prosecutors have charged Ashby with five felony counts of sexual assault. Investigators also allege that he beat 1 of the victims.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says Ashby and his wife have been licensed foster parents since September 2006.

DCFS spokesman Kendall Marlowe says five foster children had lived in the home before last June, when they were removed by DCFS because of "safety concerns."

Ashby's wife says her husband will be proven innocent.

Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com