This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A Vernal foster mother has been charged with witness tampering and failing to report child abuse after police say her son raped a 16-year-old girl living in the home.
Nola K. Fortine, 66, found her son in bed with the teen girl on the morning of Jan. 2 but did not report the incident and later coached the girl about what to say if she were questioned, the Uintah Basin Standard reports.
On the night of Jan. 1,45-year-old George B. Stone took the girl to a home near 3300 S. 1500 West in Vernal, where he made her vodka and orange juice drinks until she passed out in a hot tub, according to court documents. Then Stone raped the girl multiple times and took nude photographs of her, the report states.
He was later charged with three counts of rape, a first-degree felony.
A summons has been issued for Fortine to appear in court May 9 on charges of third-degree felony witness tampering and class B misdemeanor failure to report child abuse.
She did not return a message seeking comment Thursday.
Fortine was licensed as a foster parent in May 1993, April 2009 and again in May 2010, Department of Child and Family Services spokeswoman Liz Sollis said. Fortine had three children living in her home on Jan. 1, but all were removed after Jan. 4, Sollis said. Fortine's license was closed March 14.
"Child safety is our No. 1priority," Sollis said. "As soon as we become aware that their safety might be compromised, we immediately take action."
Sollis said she could not comment specifically on Fortine's case but said all foster parents are required to undergo "extensive training. As part of that training they talk about boundaries. They talk about reporting requirements."