MUNCIE, Ind. – A Muncie foster parent stands accused of sexually abusing two children who had been placed in his care.

Jaythan Lee Patterson, 41, of the 3500 block of West Johnson Circle, was arrested early Saturday, preliminarily charged with two counts each of child molesting and vicarious sexual gratification.

City police investigator Amy Kesler reported she was contacted Friday by Department of Child Services officials after an 8-year-old boy told authorities Patterson had fondled him and masturbated in his presence.

The child indicated another of Patterson’s foster children, a 7-year-old boy, had been treated in a similar manner. The younger boy “disclosed the same abuse” to a DCS investigator, Kesler wrote.

RELATED:

►Muncie foster parent accused of shaking infant

►Muncie foster parent accused of slapping child

Interviewed by city police, Patterson allegedly admitted to “physically demonstrating how to masturbate” to the children, and touching their genitalia while showing them how to perform the act “properly.”

The foster parent reportedly acknowledged the incident took place while the boys were in bed with him “and all parties were masturbating,” Kesler wrote.

According to the report, Patterson also admitted to another allegation made by his older accuser – that he showed the children a video in which both Patterson and their other foster parent engaged in the same activity, although not while in the company of children.

The police report reflected a total of six children were removed from Patterson’s home.

The Muncie man was booked into the Delaware County jail at 4:10 a.m. Saturday, and was released after posting a $40,000 bond about three hours later.

Court records show only one prior conviction for Patterson, for conversion in 2014.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.