5 YO Foster Child Dead Severe Blunt Force Trauma Arkansas Pt 2/2, Foster Violent Past

Foster Dad No Stranger To Police. May 25, 2010, Russellville, Arkansas. Last night we told you about a five year-old boy who died in foster care two years ago. Tonight Jason Pederson has a closer look at the background of the child's foster father. Before this Russellville home was opened to foster children, the foster parents passed background checks. But just because a person doesn't have a criminal record doesn't mean that person hasn't had run-ins with the law. The foster father trusted with caring for Dale Young was familiar to Russellville police. In 2005 he was suspected of cutting down a maple tree in front of his ex-wife's home. Last year he was suspected of setting his brother-in-law's jeep on fire. And twice this year he has been suspected of harassing his estranged wife. As of last month that woman is now an ex-wife...the foster father's second. His first marriage ended in 2005. Why is a suspect's marital history relevant? Prosecutor David Gibbons agrees that ex-spouses can be great sources of information. While the most recent ex-wife is refusing to talk with police, the first ex-wife has never even been contacted.
(Jason) "Are you surprised no one has interviewed her?"
(David Gibbons/Prosecuting Attorney) "Yeah, a little bit."
(Jason) "Whose job would it be to interview her?"
(Gibbons) "It would be law enforcement."
(Jason) "Do you request law enforcement get interviews for you?"
(Gibbons) "Sure, yeah. Absolutely."
(Jason) "Have you made any requests?"
(Gibbons) "Yes I have made requests of other interviews to be done. I did not request that she be done."
If you would like to review some interview transcripts and other important documents in this case, we have linked them to the internet posting of the original report. You can find that report by clicking on "News" and then clicking on "Seven-On-Your-Side."