DCFS worker posts bail in porn case

ROOSEVELT — A state Division of Child and Family Services child advocate is free on bond after an appearance in 8th District Court Thursday on charges that he provided pornography to a minor.

Randy Lamont Demille, 32, who is also employed as a janitor at East Elementary School in Roosevelt, bailed out of the Duchesne County Jail hours after his $10,000 bail was cut in half by Judge Lynn Payne. In court, Payne ordered Demille to stay away from anyone under 18 if he were released.

"I made a mistake, and I want to clear it up," Demille told the judge. "I am not a child sex offender."

The two felony charges against Demille stem from his alleged conduct with a 16-year-old boy in state foster care whom Duchesne County Attorney Karen Allen said was supplied with pornography during and after visits with Demille.

"I'm thinking we might have more (charges,) Allen said. "There should be several that go to Roosevelt City Court that will be misdemeanors."

Roosevelt police and Duchesne County sheriff's investigators are also looking into Demille's involvement with another 16-year-old boy, Allen said.

DCFS spokeswoman Carol Sisco said the agency became aware of possible improprieties by Demille in July 2005 and immediately terminated his contact with children. She said the investigation was initially turned over to Sipapu, a private investigation firm that contracts with DCFS to investigate possible misconduct by employees and contract staff.

"Once Sipapu started the investigation, they realized that law enforcement was involved, and they turned their stuff over to law enforcement," Sisco said. "When there is a possible criminal issue, we step back."

A review of Demille's record as a child advocate shows that he passed a follow-up criminal background check as recently as August 2003. Sisco said DCFS files indicate that DeMille had worked with 20 children since 1997 as a child advocate. The names of those children have been turned over to law enforcement for follow-up investigation.

Child advocates are called in by DCFS caseworkers if they determine that children who are in foster care or receiving state services need mentoring. Applicants must pass an initial criminal background check, supply DCFS with three references, and have no instances of child abuse or neglect listed on the agency's Safe Database. Once accepted into the program, child advocates must complete four hours of training that focuses on the children DCFS serves.

Sisco said in light of the allegations against Demille, the child advocate program is now under review. But even with all of the best safeguards in place, Sisco said, it is not possible to entirely prevent the possibility for abuse.

"You take every precaution possible, but you cannot always predict human behavior," she said. "The best you can do when something happens is stop it and make sure you don't have other victims."

Demille is on paid administrative leave from his job at the elementary school pending the results of a school district investigation into his conduct. Duchesne County School Superintendent John Aland said a termination date has already been set but did not release the date.