Former Hamilton Co. babysitter, foster mom pleads not guilty to child rape charges

CINCINNATI - A Colerain Township woman who served as a Hamilton County foster parent for 12 years pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to charges she raped children she babysat more than a decade ago.

Barbara Brooks, 62, is charged with sexually assaulting four different children she babysat between January 2000 and Feb. 27 2007. The alleged rapes occurred in her homes in Mt. Healthy and Springfield Township.

Judge Steven Martin set Brooks’ bond at $500,000 during her heading Wednesday. Brooks requested a competency evaluation and Martin granted it.

On Monday, Brooks was indicted on 15 counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual imposition. If convicted of all the charges, she faces the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said Monday.

Brooks was a foster parent from 1996 until 2008, according to Hamilton County Job and Family Services spokesperson Brian Gregg.

Brooks pleaded not guilty to a pair of rape charges during her arraignment hearing on June 8. Judge Melissa Powers ordered her held on a $100,000 bond at the hearing.

Cincinnati Police Department Fugitive Unit arrested Brooks June 7 after a relative of the alleged victims, who are now 18 and 23 years old, reported to police that the babysitter had abused them between 2000 and 2003.

In 2008, a child sex abuse complaint was made against Brooks, according to Gregg. Cincinnati police investigated, but didn't file charges. Brooks resigned from the foster care program and Job and Family Services officials permanently terminated their relationship with her.

“These cases are always difficult to comprehend,” Deters said in a news release. “We are glad that the victims had the courage to come forward so that we can make sure that Brooks is never in a position to care for a child again.”

Brooks is scheduled to appear in court again Aug. 8.