Man admits sexually assaulting foster children

MARION, Ill. (AP) -- A former southern Illinois foster parent has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting in court that he had inappropriate sexual relations with two of his female foster children.

Twenty-nine-year-old Mark Ashby of Marion pleaded guilty this week in Williamson County to sexual assault charges.

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 June of last year, when they were removed by DCFS because of "safety concerns."