Video: State employees face trial for violating abused childrens' rights

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SEATTLE – A federal judge ruled Friday that nine Washington state employees will stand trial for violating the civil rights of three girls who were abused for years by their foster father.

For ten years, there were warning signs -- claims of abuse or neglect at the hands of their foster father -- but three sisters allege the Department of Social and Health Services case workers responsible for them let them down.

"I've never heard of a case that involves so many violations of civil rights by so many state employees over such a long period of time," said David P. Moody, the girls’ attorney.

Despite a criminal history for drugs, theft and assault, the state licensed Enrique Fabregas to care for the girls. Then complaints started rolling into Child Protective Services – 30 complaints over a ten year period -- that Fabregas was physically, emotionally and sexually abusing each of the girls.

But DSHS found no evidence that any of it was true.

No one believed the girls until Redmond Police discovered hundreds of child pornography photos in Fabregas’ home and identified him having sex with two of his daughters.

KING

Enrique Fabregas, 53, sits in a King County courtoom at his sentencing Monday, August 13, 2007, for molesting his foster children.

Fabregas is now in prison, convicted of sex crimes connected with the girls, and now the state could be held responsible with punitive damages for violating the girls’ civil rights.

"This judge is giving 12 citizens the opportunity to punish the state for what they did to these girls, but most importantly, to send a loud and clear message that this should never happen again," said Moody.

The former foster sisters are suing the state for $45 million.