Man indicted in child-abuse case

Bill Gang

Tuesday, June 8, 1999 | 11:21 a.m.

An employee at Boulder City's St. Jude's Ranch for Children was indicted today by a Clark County grand jury on 25 counts of sexual misconduct during the past year involving 16 boys under his care.

Chief District Judge Lee Gates ordered 34-year-old Larry Wisenbaker held on $1.16 million bail, citing the "gravity of the charges" and his short time in the area.

One of the victims is a 12-year-old boy whom Wisenbaker "informally adopted" from his last job as a child care worker in Texas, according to Deputy District Attorney Gerald Gardner. The boy has since returned to his mother.

Wisenbaker, who is 6 feet 4 and weighs 415 pounds, is scheduled to be arraigned June 15 in District Judge Kathy Hardcastle's courtroom.

The indictment was presented at today's special court session because a preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled later today. The indictment replaces the need for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

Gardner said the 16 victims, ranging in age from 10 to 16, endured "months of physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of their cottage parent."

"These are kids who already had difficulties," Gardner said in asking for a high bail.

The indictment charges Wisenbaker with sexual assault of a minor, lewdness with a minor, attempted sexual assault and lewdness, open and gross lewdness and child abuse.

If convicted Wisenbaker faces mandatory life prison sentences and would have to spend at least 10 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole, although that could be increased by the sentencing judge.

St. Jude's Ranch has been a haven for abused and neglected children for 30 years.

Wisenbaker was arrested April 28 by Boulder City Police after children at the home began coming forward and reporting they had been abused, Detective Kristen Smallwood said.

Wisenbaker worked as one of eight cottage supervisors at the ranch that can house up to 54 children. Wisenbaker had been working at the home for just under a year.

"All of our workers go through comprehensive background checks including an FBI check, Boulder City Police check and Child Protective Services check," ranch spokeswoman Elaine Herman said after Wisenbaker's arrest became public.

Herman, who wouldn't comment on Wisenbaker because of the ongoing criminal case, said the ranch hires based on an applicant's ability to take care of children.