A 35-year-old foster parent was arrested Thursday on two counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, and investigators say there could be more victims they haven't yet found. Enrique “Rico” Houghton was taken into custody after a two-month investigation into reports of sexual assaults involving two boys under his care.
The Colorado Springs Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit opened its investigation on July 7 after receiving reports that Houghton had engaged in sexual contact with two male juveniles he was fostering, according to an official statement published by the City of Colorado Springs. As KOAA News 5 reported, Houghton was arrested on September 10 and now faces two counts tied to the alleged assaults.
Police say Houghton had served as a foster parent to multiple children over the past five years, working in positions of trust that primarily involved supervising young males across the Pikes Peak region, according to KKTV. That extended history is part of why the Crimes Against Children Unit believes additional victims may exist, according to the same report.
What the Charges Mean Under Colorado Law
Sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust is a Class 3 felony in Colorado when the victim is under 15, carrying a presumptive prison sentence of 4 to 12 years along with mandatory sex offender registration, per legal statute summaries published by Justia Law. State law defines a position of trust, according to legal summaries published by Sawyer Legal Group. The designation is relevant to the charges described here.
Colorado regulations require prospective foster applicants to undergo fingerprint-based criminal history checks through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and FBI, according to the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Those background clearances are required not just for the applicant but for all adults residing in the foster home, per the department. Separately, licensing rules established under the Colorado Children's Code bar child placement agencies from approving any foster applicant convicted of child abuse, crimes of violence, or felony offenses involving unlawful sexual behavior, according to program criteria published by regional agency Kids Crossing, which notes that agencies must verify case dispositions for all prior arrests before signing off on an applicant.
How Child Victims Are Interviewed in El Paso County
Child abuse and sexual assault victims in El Paso County are interviewed at Safe Passage, a co-located facility in Colorado Springs where CSPD Crimes Against Children detectives and county caseworkers observe single-session forensic interviews designed to minimize trauma to the child, as reported by The Colorado Sun. The Sun describes Safe Passage as Colorado's first co-located child advocacy center.
El Paso County provides supportive out-of-home care for youths. Statewide, out-of-home foster care placements are managed by counties and private agencies.
Police Ask Public for Help Finding More Victims
Investigators have not said which agency or county department licensed Houghton over his five years as a foster parent, how many children total passed through his home, or whether any red flags surfaced before the July report — details that remain unresolved as the case continues. The Crimes Against Children Unit is asking anyone with information about potential additional victims to come forward.
Members of the public can report tips directly to police at 719-444-7000, according to reporting notices relayed by KRDO. The department is seeking information about potential additional victims.
