Former Calgary foster parent facing charges of sex abuse
CALGARY — More charges have been laid against a former foster parent in Calgary.
Police say a man came forward last December, claiming he had been sexually abused while in a foster home in Calgary.
The man — who was 14 when the alleged abuse began — alleges he was sexually assaulted by his foster parent between November 2001 and September 2005.
The foster parent allegedly offered the teen money in exchange for sexual acts.
Garry Dale Prokopishin, 52, is charged with obtaining sex from a person under 18 and sexual contact with a youth by person in authority.
It is believed that 55 foster children — all boys — lived under the care of Prokopishin and his wife over the past 20 years.
The number of boys living in the home at any given time was between one and five and they ranged in ages from 14 to 17.
The Alberta Foster Parent Association named Prokopishin and his partner one of the foster parents of the year for 2006.
Prokopishin served as a director of the Calgary and District Foster Parent Association.
He is facing charges in two other similar cases.
Four charged in home invasion
CALGARY — Calgary police have laid charges in a home invasion.
Investigators say a man and woman were tied up while another adult and seven children slept in nearby bedrooms in the home on Saddlecrest Way.
But the invaders later found out they had targeted the wrong home, so they left without hurting anyone.
Police say four men were later pulled over in a traffic stop and now face a handful of charges including forcible confinement and break and enter to commit robbery.
A small amount of money and a cellphone were taken in the home invasion.
