Clearwater police have reopened an investigation into a couple accused in a newly filed lawsuit of abusing at least 20 foster boys over a decades-long period.
The Clearwater Police Department responded to a report of neglect and abuse at the home of Jerold and Jacklyn Logemann in January, but closed the case after police said they did not find enough evidence to substantiate the allegations. However, nine boys were removed from the home, according to a police report. An independent investigation by the Department of Children and Families also found no evidence of abuse, but recommended that foster children no longer be sent to Logemann’s home.
Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter said the agency reopened its investigation after others came forward with allegations.
“Some additional people have come forward and the case has been reactivated to conduct additional interviews,” he said in a statement. “The case will remain active while the new information is investigated.”
Pinellas-Pasco State’s Attorney Bruce Bartlett said his office began investigating the allegations after a Tampa Bay Times reporter asked him about the case for a story on the lawsuit. Bartlett said prosecutors have contacted Clearwater detectives about the information contained in the lawsuit.
Rick Escobar, an attorney representing the Logemanns, said his law firm conducted its own investigation after the boys were removed from the home. Escobar said police have an obligation to investigate when someone comes forward, but he “predicts that the same result as the previous investigation will prevail.”
“We have not been informed that the Clearwater Police Department has reopened an investigation, but I am quite confident in the investigation that we did, where it clearly showed that no allegations of abuse were substantiated by any evidence,” he said .
The civil case began after one of Logemann’s former foster boys saw news coverage of the January incident. The man connected with a West Palm Beach attorney and shared his story. Others came forward and filed suit in March.
The lawsuit alleges that Jerold Logemann sexually abused foster children staying at his home and that the Logemanns withheld food and took money from them after forcing them to do yard work in various neighborhoods .
