A Missouri man who fostered over 40 children has been accused of child molestation, statutory sodomy and statutory rape.

And he was reportedly given more children to care for by the State of Missouri despite already being under investigation for child abuse.

Evidence allegedly shows the victims were as young as 12 and the abuse started in 1995.

The suspect from Lincoln County, in the midwestern US state of Missouri, was charged with 10 felonies, including statutory rape, statutory sodomy and child molestation, last Wednesday (9th February).

It is alleged that Ronald Gene Graham Jr. began abusing children in January 1995 and that some of his victims were as young as 12.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect had three foster children who were in his care and who were living in his home.

His wife, who has not been named, was reportedly unaware that he was allegedly abusing their children, as he would wait for her to be out of town.

It is currently unclear why the suspect was provided with more children to care for by the state despite being investigated on multiple occasions on suspicion of child abuse. This aspect of the case is something that local media reports in Missouri are focusing on.

The court records reportedly indicate that the authorities have said that the Children’s Division had “previously found proof by a preponderance of evidence that the suspect has sexually abused a minor child in his home”.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police and prosecutors both reportedly believe that more victims will come forwards.