Sarah Foxwell -- Found Deceased 12/25/09

Sarah Foxwell’s Avoidable Murder

11 year old Sarah Foxwell’s body was found at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. Abandoned in the woods by her abductor, Thomas J. Leggs, Jr., Sarah was kidnapped from her own home on December 23rd. Thomas was seen and ID’d by Sarah’s 6 year old sister as he took Sarah from the home. The sister named the intruder as “Tommy” and was able to describe him down to the color of his shoes. The perverted murdering bastard hadn’t even changed his clothes when they found him.

He's been a known offender since 1997. This monster should never have been walking the streets.







Read the full story below at The Hinky Meter

http://www.thehinkymeter.com/?p=1164

Here is the list of offenses posted by Valhall at Hinky Meter

11/25/97 – Maryland
assault, first degree – dismissed
sex offense, second degree – 2 counts – forwarded to circuit court
sex offense, third degree – forwarded to circuit court
forwarded to circuit court – forwarded to circuit court
disposition unknown – but the 3rd degree sex offense must have been dispositioned guilty in order for him to be a registered sex offender in Maryland on this charge in 2000.

10/8/99 – Maryland
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi
stalking harassment – nolle prosequi
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi
stalking harassment – nolle prosequi
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi
sex offense third degree – dismissed
sex offense fourth degree – nolle prosequi
assault second degree – nolle prosequi

3/14/00 – failure to register as a sex offender – stay of proceedings – Maryland

3/28/00 – Maryland
sex offense, third degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, fourth degree – stay of proceedings
assault, second degree – guilty
sex offense, third degree – not guilty
sex offense, fourth degree – not guilty
assault, second degree – not guilty
sex offense, third degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, fourth degree – stay of proceedings
assault, second degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, third degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, fourth degree – stay of proceedings
assault, second degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, third degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, fourth degree – stay of proceedings
assault, second degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, third degree – stay of proceedings
sex offense, fourth degree – stay of proceedings
assault, second degree – stay of proceedings

2001 – rape involving a victim under age 18 – guilty – Delaware

6/28/04 – Maryland
sex offense third degree – forwarded to circuit court – 8/12/04 not guilty
sex offense fourth degree – forwarded to circuit court – 8/12/04 not guilty
assault second degree – forwarded to circuit court – 8/12/04 not guilty

6/30/04 -Maryland
peace order issued to plaintiff – a mother on behalf of a minor
prohibits Leggs from contact, entering residence and to stay away from petitioner

2/18/05 -Maryland
fugitive from justice – nolle prosequi

7/24/06 -Maryland
domestic violence
temporary protective order issued to plaintiff Christina Leggs
malicious destruction of property – not guilty

12/25/07 -Maryland
assault second degree – guilty
reckless endangerment – nolle prosequi

9/29/09 -Maryland
burglary, fourth degree
malicious destruction of property
Case active

Registered Maryland child sexual offender for charge of sexual offense 3rd degree
Registered Delaware “high risk” sex offender for charge of rape of a minor
http://sexoffender.dsp.delaware.gov/cgi-bin/sexoff.cgi/d?opt=00002430

This is absolutely horrendous...I wish they'd castrate, lobotomize and feed him salt peter during the remainder of his incarcerated life...That is if he gets LWOP... this loser is a discrace to the human race...as all the child molesting pervert and murderers are...I only wish that I never had to hear of such atrocities again...

you have GOT to be kidding me...

why on earth was this "man" even breathing, let alone walking the streets looking for his next victim??

Why do they continue to let these POS sex offenders walk the streets and murder our children? This has got to stop. I hope the other inmates get a hold of him before he makes it to trial.

Apparently, Sarah's aunt had legal custody of her and her 6 year old sister. This POS had recently dated Sarah's aunt. This article states there are possibly more victims that are linked to him. I don't know if Sarah's aunt was aware of his background or not:

Before the search for Foxwell ended, police confirmed there may be additional victims linked to the man charged with the girl's disappearance.
Thomas James Leggs Jr., a 30-year-old Salisbury resident and registered sex offender, was taken into custody by police on Wednesday following the disappearance of Sarah Haley Foxwell on Dec. 22.
His most recent arrest occurred almost two months after he was released from the Worcester County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond. Leggs was charged with fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property in September and is scheduled to go to trial on in January, according to court records.
Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis Ruark confirmed Leggs dated the victim's aunt for a short time before the murder.
Ruark confirmed reports that the victim's aunt, Amy Fothergill, reported the child's toothbrush was missing, and that police found a toothbrush and lollipop in Leggs' vehicle during a search.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/200912260432/NEWS01/912260335

How hard is it for these pathetic women to look up their
boyfriends on the national sex registry? I am a firm believer that these women need to be held accountable for bringing these perverts into these children"s lives. It would be one thing if the mother/Aunt was truly not aware or had no way of knowing for sure but in this case it was a mere click away.The idea of they will have to live with the fact the child was molested and murdered just is not enough in my eyes. If they put their own needs before that child's safety why would they even care if the child pays the ultimate price. This will never stop, it seems to have only gotten more and more prevalent. People just do not get that family and so-called friends are the worse threats to their children.

Source says girl's body was severely burned; search for evidence continues.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20091227/NEWS01/912270302/1002#pluckcomments

The victim and the witness knew Leggs, who was the former boyfriend of Foxwell's aunt, according to court documents. The aunt, Amy Fothergill, told police she and Leggs dated for a short period about a month or so ago before Leggs stopped contacting her.

Leggs knew about a spare house key hidden under a pot on the porch, so he had access to the house, according to police interviews with Fothergill.

I have been reading the comments from the local community, everyone seems to be aware of Leggs and his family. Comments being the family is "warped". Also comments about Sarah's family and that someone needs to get the little sister out of there.

My opinion is, the aunt was very well aware of Leggs history. She served Sarah up on a platter to him.

This is yet another case of an adult who didn't put the child first. When you are responsible for the safety of a child, why would you date a sex offender and tell them where the spare key is hidden?

SALISBURY, Md.- The family of 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell, whose body was found in a wooded area of Wicomico County late Friday afternoon, will not have to pay for funeral and burial costs.

John Holloway from Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury confirms all funeral plans have been paid for by local donors. Holloway says the donors want to remain anonymous. Sarah's funeral will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church at 217 Beaglin Park Drive in Salisbury.

On Saturday, Foxwell's family sent a message of gratitude to the community. Warren delivered the message live on WBOC and FOX 21.

In the message, he said the family wishes to express their profound appreciation to the community for their outpouring of support.

Warren talked about financial contributions. "The contributions are needed and welcomed," Warren said.

Contributors are asked to donate to the Sarah Haley Foxwell Memorial Fund at any branch of the Farmers' Bank of Willards.

Sarah was abducted Tuesday night from her home on Old Ocean City Road. A massive air and ground search was initiated Wednesday afternoon with more than 3,000 volunteers showing up on Christmas morning.

Her body was found Christmas day at around 4 p.m. in a wooded area off of Melson Road, about half a mile south of the Maryland-Delaware line.

Thirty-year-old Thomas Leggs Jr. of Salisbury is a registered sex offender in Maryland and Delaware. He is charged with kidnapping and burglary in her disappearance. He is being held without bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center.

Police are investigating Sarah's death as a murder and her body was sent to the state medical examiner's office for an autopsy.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?s=11732862

Authorities said they will seek capital punishment in the death of an 11-year-old Maryland girl police said was kidnapped by a registered sex offender.

A judge Monday denied bail to Thomas Leggs Jr., 30, of Salisbury, Md., who was arrested on kidnapping and burglary charges in the disappearance of Sarah Foxwell, also of Salisbury, The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday. The girl's body was found on Christmas Day near the Maryland-Delaware state line.

"If there is ever a case that screams for the death penalty, it is this case," Wicomico Country Sheriff Mike Lewis said.

Sarah's death was ruled a homicide, but additional charges have not be brought against Leggs, authorities said. State attorney Davis Ruark said it could take up to 45 days to file more charges.

Court records indicate a sister awoke Tuesday night to see Sarah leaving her bedroom with Leggs, an ex-boyfriend of the girls' aunt, who is their guardian.

An autopsy was continuing on the body that was found in a search involving 3,000 police and volunteers, the Sun said.

Leggs is registered in Maryland and Delaware as a high risk sex offender with a 2001 conviction for the rape of a teenager. (c) UPI

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_212275789.shtml

Such a horrific crime against an innocent, young girl. It's so disturbing.

I'd like to know when some of these women are going to begin getting charged with at the very least, endangerment?? This is just sickening.

These guys must be GIB for these women to keep them around...It is unfortunate that some women just Have to Have a Man around...That's cause they feel inadequate without them...

I believe these men seek the women out with young children, obviously try to keep them happy in whatever way until they can get their disgusting hands on the children. It's sick, sick, sick.

This is truly disgusting. It is unfathomable to me that a human being can be capable of such a heinous crime, and even more unfathomable that "high risk" sex offenders are often free to roam the streets.

FystyAngel wrote:I'd like to know when some of these women are going to begin getting charged with at the very least, endangerment?? This is just sickening.

That's what I want to know Fysty! I can't understand it.

http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2009/12/this-was-posted-dec-2-2008-on-salisbury.html

This was written by the pervs first wife. Very enlightening, imo.

I'm not defending the Aunt on this one....BUT as a rule, most women know enough to check out the sex offender list closest to home. Very few ever check beyond that. What we really need is a better system in place for people to know exactly what they are seeing....

Example is, the first wife says she was told he was on the SO list. He explained it by saying he was young and slept with an underaged girl, parents found out and he took a bum rap. She bought it hook, line and sinker as it is possible....as we all know. She failed when she did not check further and her daughter paid the ultimate price.
Same with the Aunt....and sadly, many women out there. Other than more education to single parents, the only answer is a better system...better information on the system we do have...something...link them, put a note on them to check so and so state as a record exsists there...but something needs to be done.

Of course we could just go with my personal favorite and everybody gets one shot with a child, you screw it up and you get the DP. NO SECOND CHANCE.

Thanks for posting that JAG. The guy should have been put away long ago. It looks like he molested many more than he was convicted for, including his daughter when she was two. His ex-wife tried to get the word out about him, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to save Sarah's life.

There is a site that will tell you if a person is a sex offender in more than one state. It is http://www.familywatchdog.us/ If you search by first and last name without selecting a state, it will bring up all the states where the person is a registered sex offender.

MD - A Maryland Delegate is taking action following the disappearance and murder of Sarah Foxwell.

Delegate Mike Smigiel had pre-filed bills before her murder that would tighten child sex offender laws. He has filed another bill that would allow for capital punishment to be a possible sentence if the child dies as a result of, or during, a sexual molestation.

To date, the other three bills filed include cracking down on plea bargains and allowing the wiretapping of suspected child sex offenders.

http://www.wmdt.com/Delmarvas-Top-News-Stories.aspx?item=3593

I'm glad somebody is taking action. I hope every state considers similar bills. Something has to be done to put a stop to these lowlifes who abuse and murder our children.

I agree, J4A. No more plea bargains, no early releases, first time out when it comes to harming a child. They cannot be rehabilitated and no second chances. Sarah's death is sadly more proof that our laws have got to change to protect our children.

Delegate Mike Smigiel is awesome. So is our state Senator Nancy Jacobs. She is a huge advocate for stiffer laws and a force to be reckoned with. She had the sex offender registry on her site first. She advocated for the registry. She too has come out loud and clear since this has happened. I have had the pleasure of meeting both these people and I know they will fight hard and win. We need more lawmakers like them and more of us to join in the cause and help them make these bills into law.

Justice4all wrote:Thanks for posting that JAG. The guy should have been put away long ago. It looks like he molested many more than he was convicted for, including his daughter when she was two. His ex-wife tried to get the word out about him, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to save Sarah's life.

There is a site that will tell you if a person is a sex offender in more than one state. It is http://www.familywatchdog.us/ If you search by first and last name without selecting a state, it will bring up all the states where the person is a registered sex offender.

Thanks, I know about watch dog....great tool.

I also like this one:
http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/

I think I was trying to say that most women take men at face value. For example, he might be on the list in my home state....and if he told be the story he told his first wife, I might not dig any deeper. I'd assume, as she did, that because he told me about it and it was there in black and white, he was being honest. BUT, if I looked at it and it said on that report to check out another state as there was a report there as well, it would make me look deeper...or even something as simple as "this is conviction #2 of 5" (or whatever).

Jag, I know what you're saying. These molesters are con artists in every aspect, IMO. Unfortunately, too many women tend to believe their lies. These tools are exceptional and greatly needed. It's a shame so many parents/caregivers do not use this information that is so readily available to them.

I get what you are saying now Jag. The state lists should put a link to any other states where the person is on the offender list, or better yet, list all the offenses that person has committed in any other state. If they did that, then Maryland's list would have listed all of Leggs' offenses from Maryland and Delaware.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=11753242

DOVER, Del.- Over the past few weeks, Delmarva residents have been shocked by the crimes that have been committed against children. One Delaware lawmaker said elected officials must now act to combat child predators.

Sussex County Rep. John Atkins, D-District 41, plans to introduce several measures into the General Assembly next year aimed to protect children.

According to Atkins, one measure would require repeat high risk sex offenders to have the words "sex offender" stamped on their drivers' licenses.

Another bill would not allow prison terms for sex offenders to be cut short. Atkins pointed to the case of Thomas James Leggs Jr., the Salisbury, Md. man who is charged with kidnapping Sarah Foxwell. According to Delaware's Department of Justice, Leggs was sentenced to seven years in prison for rape in Delaware, but six of those years were suspended.

And yet another plan would require sex offenders who target children younger than 12 to be chemically castrated if they are over the age of 21.

Atkins said he may also introduce another piece of legislation requiring the worst sex offenders to place a special license plate on their car designating them as sex offenders.

Solomon Bay of Dover said, "I'm definitely all for it. With my kids here it's sad what some people actually want to do to children."

Delaware lawmakers return to work at Legislative Hall in Dover in just over a week. And Atkins' proposals are likely to strike up fierce debate.

In a written statement Thursday, Delaware ACLU Director Drewry Fennell told WBOC-TV ,"Any changes to the law must be constitutional and should carefully distinguish between dangerous offenders and those who pose little or no risk. Overly broad legislation is costly to enforce; and harsh penalties may discourage reporting of crimes, particularly when the offender is a relative or otherwise known to the victim."

We definitely need tougher laws. Atkins has the right idea, but I'm not sure if all of his proposals will be found constitutional. There should be no problem with the bill that would force sex offenders to serve their full prison terms. I hope every state in the country passes a similar bill. It is ridiculous that Leggs only had to serve one year of a seven year sentence for rape.

http://www.wboc.com/global/story.asp?s=11756829

SALISBURY, Md.- Hundreds of people turned out Saturday to attend a memorial service for Sarah Haley Foxwell.

The service began at 11 a.m. at the Emmanuel Wesleyan Church on Beaglin Park Drive in Salisbury. Many area police officers joined mourners from across Delmarva to attend the memorial for the slain 11-year-old Salisbury girl.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis was one of the first people to speak at the memorial Service. "My prayer for you family will find peace in knowing that God has chosen little Sarah to be one of his most precious angels, be assured that we are by your side now and forever more," said Sheriff Lewis.

Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis Ruark spoke about the legacy Sarah Foxwell leaves behind. Ruark said, "Sarah's legacy continues on because Sarah will leave behind, Sarah's law is in place in at least two different states, if not across the nation, that will protect other children".

On Friday night, crowds gathered for a candlelight vigil held at the Salisbury City Park to remember Sarah.

Foxwell was reported missing from her Salisbury home on Dec. 23. Her body was found in a wooded area near the Maryland-Delaware line on Christmas Day. Police have ruled her death a homicide.

"I'm here because my heart goes out for the parents," said Tanya Thorle, a parent who attended the vigil. "I don't know what I would do if it happened to me. My heart bleeds for them."

People lit candles in remembrance of Sarah. Some people spoke out on the tragedy, calling for justice.

Police have charged 30-year-old Thomas James Leggs, Jr., in connection with her disappearance but have not charged him with her death. Leggs is a registered sex offender in both Maryland and Delaware.

He's currently behind bars at the Wicomico County Detention Center. Leggs' public defender says his client denies hurting Foxwell.

The girl's family held a private funeral and burial earlier this week.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/eastern-shore/bal-md.girl03jan03,0,2935617.story

1,600 join in memorial service for 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell

By Arthur Hirsch
January 3, 2010

SALISBURY - Friends, family and law enforcement officials came in from the cold Saturday morning to share their grief, disbelief and recollections of 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell, whose body was found in a wooded patch of northern Wicomico County on Christmas Day.

As about 1,600 people filed into Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, two projection screens flanking the stage showed pictures taken of the blond, blue-eyed Sarah "Haleybugs" from the time she was an infant. Sarah in a high chair, Sarah standing on the beach, drifting in a lime-green inner tube, joking around in a blond wig and sunglasses, blowing a giant pink gum bubble, posing with two other children in "speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil" poses.

"There was never a dull moment with Sarah," said her eldest sister, Debra McCune, 17, struggling to get through her remarks. "Now that she's gone, I wish I spent more time with her. If there was any way to changes places with her."

Jordyn Knierem, 11, who went to school with Sarah at Wicomico Middle School, said she and her friend were "inseparable. We could spend 24 hours together and not get bored. I see this as impossible. It proves you're not promised tomorrow."

Sarah's mother, Jennifer Foxwell, cried as she read a poem that compared the child to a budding flower taken away at the threshold of opening.

"I'll miss you, baby, and I love you, Haleybugs," her mother said.

Sarah was buried in a private family ceremony in Salisbury earlier in the week. One of seven children in a blended family, she had lived with her guardian, her aunt, Amy Fothergill, in a house just east of Salisbury.

The child disappeared from her home during the night of Tuesday, Dec. 22. Her family's report the next day of the missing child set off an expansive search by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies that was joined by about 3,000 volunteers Christmas Day.

The girl's body was found late that afternoon in what Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis described as an area of heavy woods and dense brush near Melson Road, not far south of the Delaware line. Lewis has described her death as a murder and said Saturday that she died of "multiple causes" but did not elaborate.

Thomas J. Leggs, Jr., 30, has been charged with burglary and kidnapping in the girl's disappearance and is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. No other charges have been filed, but Lewis said he expects that evidence will be presented to a grand jury this month.

"We have lots of work to do," Lewis said. "There are people who are coming forward every day" with information.

Leggs is a registered child sex offender in both Maryland and Delaware, stemming from convictions for crimes committed in 1998 and 2001. He is listed as a "high risk" sex offender in Delaware.

He briefly dated Sarah Foxwell's aunt and knew where the family kept a key hidden outside the house. Lewis said Leggs entered the home during the night and took the girl from her first-floor bedroom. A 6-year-old sister who was also in the room told police that Sarah left the room with a man she identified as "Tommy."

In all his years in law enforcement, Lewis said after the memorial service, "there's nothing that ever affected my soul like this case."

He struggled to make it through his prepared remarks during the service, held at Emmanuel Wesleyan, the largest church in town, in expectation of a large turnout. The family's pastor, the Rev. William L. Warren Jr. of Allen Memorial Baptist Church, presided at the service, which lasted a little over an hour.

In closing remarks, he talked about the "monstrous sadness" of the event. "You'll never get over it," he said, "but with God's help you'll get through it."

The question hanging over the proceedings, he said, was why?

"Why did God let this happen?" he asked. "I don't know. I don't know. I don't understand."

This is just so sad, Leggs should have never had the opportunity to hurt another child. I also notice Sarah did not have a father in her life either.

http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=43437&zoneid=2

Monday, January 11, 2010
Angela Jackson and WBOC-TV

A Wicomico County grand jury has indicted a Salisbury man for kidnapping, child abduction and first-degree burglary in the Sarah Foxwell case, according to WBOC-TV.

Thomas James Leggs, Jr., 30, was indicted today. He is accused of abducting 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell from her Salisbury home last month. Her body was found in a wooded area near the Delaware-Maryland line on Christmas day. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Leggs is a registered sex offender in Maryland and Delaware. He is being held without bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center.

I don't understand why Leggs hasn't been charged with murder yet. I'm sure it's only a matter of time, but it's still frustrating.

http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=30&id=7917

By Shawn J. Soper, News Editor
Originally published January 15, 2010

OCEAN CITY – A local man suspected of kidnapping and murdering an 11-year-old girl in Salisbury in late December made his first appearance in court since the tragedy this week for an unrelated incident in Ocean City in September, but his hearing was postponed in order to allow his defense attorney to get up to speed on the case.

Thomas James Leggs, Jr., 30, of Salisbury, appeared in District Court in Ocean City on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing on burglary and malicious destruction of property charges stemming from an incident in the resort in September when he allegedly broke into a residence downtown and made sexual advances toward a female victim.

The preliminary inquiry was postponed when Leggs’ defense attorney, Arch McFadden, told District Court Judge Daniel Mumford he needed more time to prepare his defense. The preliminary hearing has been tentatively reset for Feb. 8.

Leggs was arrested in late December in connection with the abduction and murder of 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell, whose body was found near Delmar during a massive search conducted by thousands of volunteers after she was reported missing on Dec. 23. This week, a Wicomico County grand jury indicted Leggs on burglary and kidnapping charges and he remains a suspect in the child’s murder although no additional charges have been added yet.

Leggs has a history of sexual offenses and is listed on the sex offender registries in both Maryland and Delaware. His first reported offense occurred in 1998 when he was 18 years old and was convicted of a sex offense involving a 12-year-old girl, a conviction that landed him on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. In 2000, Leggs was convicted on a fourth-degree sex assault charge for an incident involving a 16-year-old girl in Rehoboth that resulted in a listing on Delaware’s sex offender registry. He has been listed as a high-risk offender in Delaware since 2001.

Leggs, who worked at times in different restaurants and bars in Ocean City last summer, was arrested and charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property after breaking into the residence of the victim with whom he had become acquainted about 10 days earlier. On Sept. 11, Ocean City police responded to a residence on Philadelphia Ave. around 9th Street for a reported breaking and entering that had already occurred.

The female victim told police she awoke shortly after 4 a.m. to find a man, who she knew only as Tommy, standing next to her bed with his shirt off and his pants down to his knees. The victim asked Leggs to leave and he got dressed and left her room, but when she got up to check, she found the suspect still in her living room. It was at that point the victim discovered a screen door had been forced open. The victim again told Leggs to leave and this time he complied, which is when she called 911. It was later discovered the screen on a kitchen window had also been forced open with damage to the window frame, according to police reports.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the tragic kidnapping and murder in Salisbury, state and local lawmakers vowed to take a closer look at Maryland child predator laws and the effectiveness of the sex offender registry and appear to be making good on the promise. According to Delegate James Mathias (D-38B), in whose district the tragedy occurred, while budget and deficit issues dominated the first day of the General Assembly session on Wednesday, the Sarah Foxwell case was referenced early and often.

“During the governor’s opening remarks for the session, he made specific references to the tragedy and the need to strengthen our child predator laws,” he said. “It’s right out in front. The governor is moving on a bill and everything is moving in that direction. This issue is going to get a lot of scrutiny during the session.”

Mathias said state lawmakers are taking a closer look at the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act as a model for a potential revision to the state’s child predator and sex offender registry policies. Adopted in 2006, the act imposes new federal standards on state sex offender registration laws and requires a significant revision of Maryland’s sex offender registry and notification law by the July 2010 implementation deadline.

Thus far, only Ohio has complied with the provisions in the federal law, but the tragic Sarah Foxwell case has Maryland officials expediting the effort to come into compliance. If Maryland fails to achieve substantial compliance with the law prior to the deadline, the state could lose federal funding for law enforcement through the Department of Justice.

On Wednesday, Congressman Frank Kratovil (R-1), who represents the shore, wrote a letter to Governor Martin O’Malley and the Senate and House leadership urging them to bring Maryland into compliance with the federal law.

“Given the recent tragedy, I can think of no better motivation for the state of Maryland to make a commitment to protecting our children by coming into full compliance with revised federal standards,” he said. “I offer my full support and the resources of my office in Maryland’s fight against child predators.”

Defending the defenseless
Advocacy center strives to help abused children
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.goodworks24jan24,0,3108057.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+baltimoresun%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Frss2+%28Top+Maryland%29

The director of a Baltimore children's advocacy center says that in the light of Sarah Foxwell's abduction and killing on the Eastern Shore, people are looking for solutions to one of society's most hot-button issues: child sexual abuse.

"We can stack the decks better for children," said Adam C. Rosenberg, executive director of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center.

Rosenberg, 39, a New Jersey native, is a former city prosecutor who heads the center housed on the upper floors of a former Goucher College dorm at 23rd and Charles streets in Charles Village. About 900 children a year come to his bright and airy quarters on the fourth floor. He said their average age is 8 - two-thirds are girls - and all are in need of "comfort, care, medical and psychological attention."

The floor above houses medical-exam rooms so that a child does not have to be sent to another medical facility for examination. Rosenberg said his goal was to concentrate all aspects of child abuse detection and prevention under one roof convenient to families, police and social workers.

Rosenberg describes himself as an advocate for social justice and a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, especially abused children. He was the first male prosecutor to join the Domestic Violence Unit of the Baltimore state's attorney's office, and later prosecuted hundreds of cases involving sex offenders, stalkers and predators, child pornographers and violent abusers as a member of the Sex Offense Unit.

"I was affected by the worst crimes," he said last week. "That's what matters to me. Once here, the children begin a path toward healing, toward physical and emotional wellness, toward a life beyond their abuse."

A graduate of Cornell University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in New York, Rosenberg said his years in court and time later spent at The Associated, the Jewish charities organization, helped in his current role, one that juggles fundraising, administration and a specific knowledge of this type of law.

"In the majority of sexual abuse cases, the perpetrator is known to the family," he said, adding that, with the recession, more families are doubling up in living quarters, which can lead to more opportunities for abuse.

In addition to treating children and counseling them and their parents, Rosenberg also leads a public awareness campaign.

He recently bought space on billboards in city neighborhoods. Their message is to confront child abuse because, he says, the best way to stop it is through public awareness. He also advises families to check the child abuse center's Web site, www.baltimorechildabusecenter.org.

The nonprofit agency relies upon the financial support of many givers and charitable foundations, as well as some help from governments. Rosenberg mentions the generosity of individuals, including theater owner Clarisse Mechanic, who died last year.

"Our success has happened because of people like Clarisse, who saw our program work and then responded," he said.

He also mentions the volunteers who took an average-looking office space and painted it in bright colors. Project Linus' volunteers, known as "blanketeers," make coverlets for children. Each child at his center returns home with a handmade blanket as well as an arts-supply kit.

Other foundations, including Weinberg, Knott, Casey, Blaustein, as well as Associated Black Charities, the United Way and the Jewish Women's Giving Foundation, support the center.

Each time a child enters the center's colorfully painted offices for help with suspected abuse, a construction paper butterfly goes up on the wall with the child's name. So far this month, there are 61 little butterflies on the wall. And the month is not over.

Suspect in death of Md. girl indicted for murder

By AP News
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

A registered sex offender has been indicted on murder charges in the death of an 11-year-old Maryland girl whose body was found on Christmas day.

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis said Tuesday that 30-year-old Thomas Leggs Jr. has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Sarah Foxwell, whose body was found in a wooded area.

Lewis also said prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Leggs.

Leggs was initially charged with kidnapping and burglary after the girl was abducted from her home on the night of Dec. 22.

The sheriff said the delay in bringing murder charges was because investigators were compelled to be "methodical and deliberate in everything we did" to bring the strongest possible case.

http://www.710knus.com/article.aspx?id=cc1b6999-bad7-407e-b8de-f62d5ded865c&catid=0

i am relieved that they have brought murder charges against this animal (that is deroggatory to animals..) we will call him a disgusting coward who holds the root of all evil.. yeah.. that feels a little better. i am also pleased to hear that they were methodical and are seeking the DP.. BUT.. i feel it is too little too late.. why is it that we have to wait until something like this happens to a little girl who never should have to go through being tourtured, raped, sodomized and burned .. (for crying out loud, she was a baby..) before we can rid society of these "sex offenders"...

we need to get serious, and get tough before ONE MORE of our little angels has to go through something so terrible... i recommend open season on SO's... the government can even tax it, and force us normal folks to buy licenses and tags like we do for deer season...

these "people" can NEVER be rehabilitated, cured, fixed, or trusted.. and since it against THEIR civil rights to castrate them (physically or chemically) something has to be done....

when are the ones that are supposed to protect, serve, and carry out justice?? why are they sitting on the sidelines allowing our children to be raped and murdered?? something has got to change, i dont think i can stand to hear one more of these heartbreaking stories.. i cannot help but think of what that poor little girl was feeling/thinking in her last hours of life.. it brings chills to my bones everyday..

something MUST be done.. i dont care how many letters i have to write, but i will start with my congressman.. i hope everyone follows..

Frustration does sometimes make one wish that there was an open season on sex offenders or a real life Dexter going after them. It is absolutely despicable that so many young children are raped, brutalized, and killed by these cowards. One of the worse things is that these cowards usually aren't first time offenders and are often let out of prison early. Many of these tragedies would have been prevented if these offenders had been forced to serve their full sentences. Something has to be done. Writing your congressman and demanding that they pass tougher laws that give sex offenders longer sentences and mandate that they serve their full sentences is a good start.

Sex Offender Laws - Latest News
by - WMDT Staff
03/13/2010 ANNAPOLIS, Md

In the wake of the Sarah Foxwell tragedy, Maryland lawmakers have passed several bills that will crack down on sex offenders.

The House Judiciary Committee condensed 38 sex offender bills into 5.

The bills cover everything from longer prison sentences to more vigilant tracking.

However, child abuse experts stress that laws can only go so far because most victims do know their attackers.

http://www.wmdt.com/Delmarvas-Top-News-Stories.aspx?item=5467

However, child abuse experts stress that laws can only go so far because most victims do know their attackers.

That may be true, but I don't think Sarah Foxwell, Chelsea King, Somer Thompson, Morgan Harrington, Victoria Stafford, or Amber Dubois knew their attackers. There is no easy solution for this problem but tougher laws are a good start.

FOXWELL MURDER: Trial date scheduled for murder suspect

Daily Times Staff Report
March 22, 2010

SALISBURY -- A trial date has been scheduled for a Salisbury man charged in the murder of an 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped and found dead on Christmas day.

A four-day Circuit Court trial for Thomas James Leggs Jr., 30, is scheduled to begin May 24.

Leggs was indicted on murder, burglary, kidnapping, sex offense charges after Sarah Haley Foxwell's badly burned body was found in a rural Delmar area.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100322/NEWS01/100322034

Wow... only five months from murder to trial... what a concept.

I pray Leggs will get what he deserves...

Good point Snaz!

I hope and pray that all the publicity of this case ,not to mention all the sickening details and brutality will make whatever judge he gets wake up and seal his fate
forever behind bars or give him his one way ticket to hell. There are not many judges here in Maryland (sad to say) that are willing to take a stand or give what should be given. So let's hope he draws one that is not a poor excuse for a judge or human being!

Tigermom, if a judge gives Leggs anything less than life without parole, it will be a huge miscarriage of justice.

Salisbury Child Advocacy Center is Now 'Sarah's House'

Written by Brie Jackson
Posted: Apr 10, 2010 8:19 PM EDT



SALISBURY, Md - The three Lower Shore counties have the highest incidents of child abuse in the state of Maryland, according to the Life Crisis Center in Salisbury.

In December, the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Sarah Haley Foxwell of Salisbury shook the community to the core. On Saturday, the Child Advocacy Center in Salisbury changed it's name to "Sarah's House." Sarah's mother hopes the name change will remind the community that no one else should become a victim like her daughter.

Jennifer Foxwell said it is an everyday struggle dealing with the death of her daughter.

"It hurts because she's not here to enjoy what she should be enjoying," she said. "I don't wish this pain on anyone. I pray that no other parent has to go through this pain."

Staff at the Life Crisis Center counsel child abuse victims. Michelle Hughes spoke about the affect Sarah's story had on the community.

"Children became very unsettled," said Hughes. "They began to worry that someone was going to break into their house and steal them."

Many people hope renaming the Child Advocacy Center to "Sarah's House" reminds the community that there's someone who can protect our children from abuse.

"We need to reassure children that abuse is not going to happen," said Hughes. "If they do happen we are going to respond immediately and in the most appropriate way."

Jennifer Foxwell hopes the building becomes a safe house for children and that no family will have to experience the same pain she feels.

On Saturday night, the Child Advocacy Center also celebrated its 10th anniversary. The event raised money for the CAC which investigates child abuse cases.

http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12290042

Foxwell Balloon Release

by Andrew Koch
05/15/2010

SALISBURY, Md. - Sarah Foxwell would have turned 12 on May 18. On that day, her family is inviting the community to join them at Perdue Stadium as they honor her memory.

The family will be hosting a balloon release in the stadium's parking lot at 6 p.m. to celebrate Sarah's life. Her aunt says the family still appreciates the support they've been getting from friends and the general public.

"The support's been overwhelming. Everyone's been most gracious," said Tracy Powell. "We're hoping that the people who searched for her will return to the stadium and celebrate her birthday with us." Perdue stadium was used as a command post by the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office during the search for Sarah last December.

Powell says the balloon release is not a fundraiser.

http://www.wmdt.com/Delmarvas-Top-News-Stories.aspx?item=6925

Leggs' Trial Moved - Latest News

by - Terrence Lee
5/14/10

SALISBURY, Md. - Thomas Leggs Jr. is accused of kidnapping and raping 11 year old Sarah Foxwell. Thursday, a judge announced Leggs' murder trial will be moved from Wicomico County.

Leggs was in court Thursday. His attorneys filed for a change of venue, and because the case is a death penalty case, it was automatically granted.

The judge will determine where and when the trial will be held. Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis Ruark told WMDT the date and location should be known by next week.

http://www.wmdt.com/news-archive.aspx?item=6878

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that they waited until less than two weeks before the scheduled start of Leggs' trial to file for a change of venue. These trials never seem to start in a timely manner.

That's just what I was going to say, J4A. Delay, delay...