Foster parent accused of sexual abuse given permission to leave state
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Joel Longshore was not only able to walk out of jail without paying a typical bond after being charged with sexual assault on a child, but he was also granted permission to leave the state on March 3.
Longshore is currently facing six counts of sexual abuse and assault on at least one foster child that was in his care.
Court records indicate there are five victims involved in the case against Longshore.
When KRDO tried calling Longshore on the number he provided the El Paso County courts it appeared to be disconnected on Tuesday.
"The fact that he's changed or disconnected the only phone number that he's provided to the court and we have no indication that he's updated that phone number is an absolute concern," Colorado Springs defense attorney Jeremy Loew said.
Court records show Longshore made a request to leave Colorado on March 1, the same day Colorado Springs Police Department announced that he had been arrested in December and they believed there were more victims.
That request was granted by El Paso County Judge Robert L. Lowry on March 3.
It's unclear where Longshore is but court minutes from February suggest he wanted to go out of the state to visit family.
Longshore was granted a personal recognizance bond in December. That means the accused child molester was only required to agree to meet future court dates without putting up property or cash like most people do to get out of jail.
"His passport wasn't required to be surrendered. We don't really know where he's at. There's no one keeping tabs on his location," Loew explained. "He's potentially looking at an indeterminate or a life sentence in prison and he could be anywhere."
With Longshore's current bond, there are no bondsmen who would chase him down in the event he flees.
"If he bonded out through a bondsmen there would be bondsmen to verify where he's at all times. They could even require an ankle monitor to make sure he doesn't flee the state or flee the country," Loew said.
KRDO has learned that the Longshore family previously cared for four special needs foster children, according to posts made on the Special Kids Special Families website.
The non-profit told KRDO they cut ties with the Longshore's "some time ago" but wouldn't elaborate further.
A spokesperson for Special Kids Special Families said on Tuesday, they are waiting for police to finalize their investigation into Longshore.
