SCSO Announces Child Molestation Arrest

A Stephens County School System employee is facing charges in light of allegations of sexual abuse on a minor.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that 51-year-old Keith Foster of Toccoa was arrested last week and charged with Aggravated Child Molestation and Incest.

Shirley said his office was contacted about the allegations on Thursday.

“We were called into the case this week,” said Shirley last Friday. “A forensic interview was performed by the Powerhouse For Kids, an advocacy center here in Toccoa.”

The sheriff said that the victim, identified as a relative of Foster, reported sexual abuse during the interview and many of the victim’s statements were substantiated through additional witness interviews conducted by investigators.

According to Sheriff Shirley, this incident did not involve the school.

However, he said his office is continuing to investigate.

“We want to make sure there are no other individuals who may know something about this or any other victims,” said Shirley.

Shirley said his office met with Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey early on in the investigation to make him aware of the allegations.

Dorsey said Foster has been working as a Physical Education teacher at the Stephens County Middle School’s Fifth Grade Academy.

The superintendent went on to say that the school system is working with the Sheriff’s Office on the case.

“Right now, we are not aware of any allegations involving wrongdoings with students,” said Dorsey. “Certainly, we are being compliant with law enforcement during its investigation.”

Dorsey did not comment on Foster’s status with the school system at this time, saying it is the school’s system practice not to discuss personnel matters for the confidentiality of staff members and students.

Shirley said Foster is in the Stephens County Jail without a bond at last report.

The sheriff went on to say that any parent who may be concerned about their child’s interaction with Foster should contact Sheriff’s Office investigators at 706-886-7048 on Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at 706-779-3911 after hours or on weekends.