Yucaipa foster father accused of sexually abusing adopted daughters in Crestline

By Beatriz Valenzuela,

YUCAIPA >> A longtime foster father was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two foster girls he and his wife eventually adopted.

Stephen Darrell Taylor, 68, was arrested at the Loma Linda Veteran’s Administration Hospital Wednesday and booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of oral copulation of a minor, sexual intercourse with force and sexual assault of a child, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s booking records.

Taylor and his wife served as a foster family for the Arrowhead Foster Family Agency, Inc., between the years of 2002 and 2008. During that time, investigators believe Taylor sexually abused two of the girls, ages 5 and 11, placed in their care. It’s unclear if his wife was aware of the alleged abuse.

Taylor allegedly sexually abused the children for several years. The girls were eventually adopted by the Taylors.

The family resided in three different homes during that time frame on Crestline Road, Mile High Road and Fir Lane in the Crestline community.

The reported sexual abuse continued until the children were removed by the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services in 2008 due to allegations of physical abuse, sheriff’s officials said in a statement. Authorities uncovered the alleged sexual abuse during the investigation of the physical abuse. Detectives with the Twin Peaks Sheriff Station and turned over to the Crimes Against Children Detail because it involved a certified foster family.

Detectives from the Crimes Against Children Detail assumed the investigation and determined approximately 27 foster children were placed with the Taylor family from 2002 to 2008. The Taylor family lost their status as a certified foster family after allegations of physical abuse to the children.

Investigators are concerned Taylor possibly abused other children who were in his care during that time.

Taylor is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.