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Man acquitted in abuse of boy at animal costume parties

DOYLESTOWN (AP) — Jurors in suburban Philadelphia have acquitted a man of all charges in a case in which he and others were accused of assaulting a boy at parties for people dressed in animal costumes.

The Bucks County panel deliberated for about two hours Friday before acquitting 57-year-old Kenneth Fenske of Quakertown.

Prosecutors alleged that the boy was abused at “furry” parties in the county beginning in 2009. The boy says he was forced to dress as “Tony the Tiger” and his attacker sometimes wore a full-body fox costume.

Fenske’s attorney called the charges an attempt to profit off his client’s wealth. Three other men and a woman await trial in the case.

Saylorsburg resident David Parker pleaded guilty Monday to child sex trafficking in the agreement with prosecutors.

According to officials, the victim was assaulted by Paige Wren Tasker, 27, when he was staying with Parker. Tasker was at the Parker home over the Christmas holidays in 2015.

When questioned, Tasker admitted sleeping in the boy’s bed with him, engaging in oral sex with him at Parker’s behest.

She was charged with statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

Investigators contend Parker started assaulting the boy when the child was 2 or 3. As the years passed, the abuse continued, with Parker sharing his experiences with other men through texts and online chats. He eventually also began setting up sexual encounters between the victim and at least four other men, since at least 2009, sometimes to a Bucks County home where “furry” parties were being held.

The assaults reportedly took place in several different counties, including Monroe, Lackawanna and Luzerne.

In return for Parker’s plea, prosecutors are recommending a 30-year sentence in federal prison. Parker had faced life in prison if convicted at trial.

Parker admits he took the boy to Luzerne County to be molested between June 2010 and August 2010.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro has said the boy was abused for nearly eight years, starting in 2009.

The investigation is continuing.