LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
A former foster parent has been arrested on suspicion of sexual and physical abuse, as well as neglect.
31-year-old Michael Chinn of Las Vegas was arrested Thursday on two counts of lewdness with a minor under 14 and two counts of promotion of sexual performance of a minor.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, Chinn has been charged by the District Attorney with six counts of child abuse and one count of child neglect.
The charges stem from a series of incidents two years ago. A teen who had lived with Chinn and subsequently ran away told detectives about several alleged instances of abuse concerning him and other juveniles.
Police are not releasing Chinn's mug shot because they are still interviewing witnesses.
Chinn was booked into Clark County Detention Center. He has a hearing scheduled for Monday and his trial is set to begin Jan. 17, 2012.
According to Clark County, Chinn became a licensed foster parent in Nov. 2005 and his license was revoked in Oct. 2010, which correlates with the first child abuse report filed with Metro.
In response to the arrest, Clark County issued the following statement to FOX5 Friday:
The allegations outlined in the report are upsetting and we have been cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.
Michael Chinn became a licensed foster parent in Nov. 2005. His license was revoked in Oct. 2010. State law prohibits us from disclosing any additional information related to this.Like all other foster parents, Mr. Chinn was subject to extensive training and federal and local criminal history reviews at the time of licensure.
It's important to note that the abuse alleged in the report should not reflect upon the thousands of other caring foster parents in Clark County who have stepped forward to fill a vital role in our community.
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