Foster Dad, Ex-Adoption Board Member Faces Child Sex Charges

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Authorities have charged a licensed foster parent and former member of the Macomb County Adoption Board with inappropriate sexual contact with a 16-year-old, according to a news release.

Jackie Lee Pittman, 61, of Macomb Township was Friday arraigned in Shelby Township 41-A District Court on two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, both 15-year-felonies, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said in a news release. Visiting Judge Matthew Rumora set Pittman’s bond at $25,000.

No children are currently placed in Pittman’s home, according to the release.

“We owe so much to the service and sacrifice of the many dedicated Michigan foster parents, who do such a tremendous job providing a secure home to our most vulnerable children,” Smith said in the release. “These acts violate that sacred trust. My office stands with the great majority of foster workers who dedicate their lives to protect young people from harm. They will be the first to condemn this perversion of duty.”

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said his office received a referral to investigate allegations against Pittman around July 28. He was arrested without incident on Thursday.

In court for his arraignment Friday, Pittman said his wife died in April. Pittman’s sister, Carolyn Mullins, testified in court that her brother may have “temporarily lost his mind” while in the throes of grief over the death of his wife, 60, The Macomb Daily reported.

A relative at the hearing said Pittman was a foster parent for about 10 years to five children, but has not done so for a while. The relative described Pittman as a controlling man who has struck children, prompting one or two Children’s Protective Services investigations, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Pittman’s foster parent license expires next June, Bob Wheaten, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told the Free Press. “MDHHS is aware of the allegations in the court case and is conducting a licensing investigation as a result,” Wheaton said.

Pittman is due back in court on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and again on Sept. 13.

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