Bradford, Vermont - September 16, 2007
Police say a 6th grade school teacher in Bradford tried to kill himself after being arrested for sexually abusing a child.
The alleged victim came forward Friday night and now police are trying to determine if the longtime teacher victimized any other children. Fifty-one year-old Richard Foster has taught at the Bradford Elementary School for more than a decade and has been a teacher in Vermont for about 20 years all together, according to police.
Now the trusted teacher is accused of numerous shocking crimes. Police say the 6th grade educator sexually assaulted a minor multiple times in Vermont this year and took lewd photos of the child. Authorities say they found the kiddie porn at Foster's home after getting search warrants. "We did seize items from the school. We have material we are going through but can't comment on what that is," said Vermont State Police Detective Lt. J.P. Sinclair.
Police say the minor, who used to live in Orange County and now resides in Florida, came forward with the allegations Friday night. They would not say if the victim is a former student of Foster's, fearing the child would be identified. Officials are investigating whether there are any other victims. "It's certainly something we're keeping in mind," Sinclair said. "We are obviously aware of one, but are fully prepared that there could be others." Sinclair says the school has made calls to all current and past students of Mr. Foster and that people with concerns should contact police.
After Foster was arrested, he made bail. Sunday morning police received a 911 call from Foster's home in Bradford. When they arrived, they found Foster had injured himself in an apparent suicide attempt. He was rushed to the hospital, where he's listed in stable condition tonight.
The school plans to have counselors on hand tomorrow. A public meeting about the allegations will be held at Oxbow Union High School on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
