Convicted Child Molester Charged With Abusing Another Foster Child
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After 20 years, a woman is accusing her foster parent of sexually abusing her when she was a child.
The Scott County Attorney's office has charged 59-year-old Daniel Alvin Hennen with six counts of criminal sexual conduct. He is now out on bond.
Detectives say Hennen ran a foster care service with his wife, Connie Hennen, out of his home in Jordan for several years in the 80s and 90s.
Law enforcement says as many as 70 children may have been in his care during that time.
According to Scott County court records, a 27-year-old woman came forward in October 2014 and said Hennen abused her almost every other day when she was in his care for one year.
Scott County Detective Brian Cade says law enforcement believes there may be other victims and hopes they will come forward.
"When we talk to victims that have been sexually assaulted, they do have a lot of fear, they have a lot of shame, they want to put things behind them," Cade said.
He said when a criminal sexual act happens against a minor, it is never too late to report it in Minnesota.
State law says the statute of limitations does not hit until three years after the offense is reported to law enforcement.
WCCO-TV went to Hennen's home in Jordan to ask about the allegations, but no one answered.
Hennen was convicted and went to prison in 2003 for sexually abusing his own adopted children as well as foster children in the program. He was released in 2008.
Court records show Hennen denies abusing this woman, but says he remembers her.
The records also describe the day in October 2014 when Det. Brian Cade searched Hennen's home and discovered several pictures of the woman, including a framed photograph of her in the master bedroom.
"It's important for these victims to get a voice and come forward and talk about what happened, and hopefully they can recover from that," Cade said.
Court documents show after his conviction in 2002, Hennen admitted there were more victims, but refuses to name them.
Hennen's first appearance in court is set for Jan. 9. As conditions of his release, he can't leave the state or have contact with any victims.
Anyone with information about any possible victims who were in Hennen's care is asked to call Scott County Sheriff's Office at 952-496-8755.