Pontiac parents charged after Child Protective Services investigators uncover evidence of child abuse, sexual assault

PONTIAC (WWJ) — A pair of Pontiac parents are looking at felony child abuse and criminal sexual conduct charges for allegedly violating children inside their own home.

Patrick Henke, 44, and Anna Marie Purdy, 33, were arraigned over the weekend, roughly three weeks after the Oakland County Sheriff's Office received a tip regarding the alleged abuse.

A detective from the Pontiac Division on Jan. 11 was assigned a Child Protective Services Law Enforcement notification to investigate "alleged sexual abuse of children perpetrated by parents within the home," according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators participated in multiple Care House interviews with the victims, but no specific details regarding the alleged abuse were disclosed during the interviews.

On Jan. 23, detectives interviewed a witness to the crimes and enough evidence was provided to warrant the arrest of the father. Following the interview, detectives went to the couple's home in the on Cass Ave. in Pontiac and arrested Henke.

Purdy was also interviewed by detectives and she "confirmed the alleged crimes were perpetrated by Henke," according to the sheriff's office. Investigators also determined that Purdy was an accessory to abuse and was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities have not disclosed how many children were involved in the alleged abuse. No ages of victims were released. The sheriff's office did not explicitly say whether the victims were the children of Henke and Purdy.

Henke was arraigned Sunday, Jan. 28 in 52-1 District Court on the following felony charges issued by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office:

• One count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct
• Three counts of second-degree child abuse
• One count of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material
• Three counts of aggravated indecent exposure

Henke's bond was set at $2 million cash/surety, no 10%.

Purdy has been charged with three counts each of second-degree child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety, no 10%.

Both parents are scheduled for their next court appearance on Feb. 8. Both remain held at the Oakland County Jail.

"The cases that involve violating children are some of the more disgusting and important cases that we deal with," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "These individuals need to be held responsible and the children need and deserve a nurturing environment to begin a healing process."