Republic foster father sentenced to 55 years in jail for sexually abusing three children

A Republic foster father was sentenced to 55 years in prison without probation on Friday for sexually abusing three children in his care, according to a news release from the Greene County prosecuting attorney’s office.

Mark D. Obrien, 43, was convicted of six counts of first-degree sodomy and a count of abuse of a child in August, the release says. At the time of the abuse, two of the children were under the age of 12 and the third was 14 years old, according to the release.

The abuse occurred between 2007 and 2010, and the three victims testified about their sexual abuse during a four-day trial in August.

The victims did not initially come forward about the abuse, according to the release. One victim testified that he did not realize that the abuse was wrong and that he believed that the sexual abuse was just “what foster fathers or fathers did.”

One described being forced to sleep outside at night, without blankets or shelter, according to an August news release announcing the conviction. The boy described seeking out the dog to sleep with for warmth.

Another victim testified that Obrien told him that he would never see his mother again if the victim told, prosecutors say.

The release says Republic police testified during trial that Obrien was in possession of child pornography and that Obrien attempted to clear his hard drive two days before police executed a search warrant at his home.

At the sentencing, the court heard from the victims about the ill effects they suffered as a result of the abuse, which included psychological trauma, behavioral issues, physical problems and the theft of their childhood, the release says.

The state argued that Obrien’s actions will cause the foster care system to be viewed with suspicion rather than trust, the release says.

Obrien denied that the abuse occurred and asked for the minimum sentence based on his lack of criminal history and strong family support, the release says.

At trial, prosecutors drew comparisons to the Jerry Sandusky case in Pennsylvania, noting that the Penn State coach held a good reputation despite his years of systematic abuse of children.