x
Breaking News
More () »

Louisville man charged for sexually abusing immigrant children since 2018

LMPD says Frank Beal, 58, has helped approximately 50 families in the community since 2012. He told police he's unsure if there are more victims.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police officers arrested a 58-year-old man on nearly a dozen child sex abuse charges after they say he confessed to abusing two children multiple times over a four-year period.

Officers arrested Frank Beal on Tuesday on nine counts of first-degree of sodomy and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. 

In all charges, the victims was under the age of 12. Sources confirm the victims were new to America.

According to his arrest citation, Beal gave LMPD detectives a full mirandized statement stating he had sodomized, orally and anally, two young boys on multiple occasions since 2018.

Police say that Beal states he has helped approximately 50 immigrant families in the community since 2012. 

"Resettling refugees or other newly arrived immigrants always are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to acclimating to the culture. And it does present vulnerabilities," Catholic Charities of Louisville CEO Lisa DeJaco Crutcher told WHAS11 News. 

Catholic Charities of Louisville hosts one of the longest-running refugee resettlement programs in Kentucky. Staff reviewed their documents and have no record of Frank Beal volunteering or working for them.

Crutcher said families still learning the English language and who they can trust are open to unique vulnerabilities. 

"People who are predators look for people who have vulnerabilities," she added.

Beal allegedly told police he didn't know if there were more victims. 

"If you're coming from a family where people don't talk about that and where there is never any discussion about this kind of thing, you might not feel like you have anyone you can talk to," Crutcher said. 

If you believe your child was a victim of abuse, you can report it anonymously at 574-LMPD or LMPD's Office for Sexual and Physical Investigations at 502-574-2465.

Beal had his first court appearance on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to his charges.

A Jefferson County judge set his bond at $250,000 cash, calling him "a danger to the community." If his bail is posted, he will be placed under home incarceration.

He will be back in court on Dec. 22 at 9 a.m.

Beal previously pled guilty to similar charges in the late 1990's. However, he was not listed on the Sexual Offender Registry. His conviction took place before registry laws were changed in Kentucky and they were not retroactive.

Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.

Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

Before You Leave, Check This Out