A man in Oklahoma heard a child crying and knew he needed to help. What he ultimately uncovered shocked him. Rhet Wike reportedly saw a young girl in the snow barefoot and only wearing pajamas. She apparently begged to get inside the house. But her foster parents, Andrew and Kaytlin Fultz, allegedly locked her out as punishment. Wike began recording the child and contacted police for help.
The heartbreaking video shows a 7-year-old girl in pajamas moving her bare feet up and down away from the snow. She cries and yells, “I’m cold!” over and over. Wike told KGET he heard Andrew Fultz tell her to “stop whining,” which upset him. He called 911 for help.
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According to court documents obtained by News on 6, Kaytlin Fultz told police the foster child has “severe trauma.” She said putting her outside is “the method she used to reset the child’s behavior worked has worked well in the past.” Police noted they told the foster mom to find another form of reset in bad weather in the future. She reportedly agreed.
Kaitlyn Fultz teaches third grade in the Preston Public School system. KOTV reported the district put her on administrative leave and the Oklahoma Department of Education also will investigate.
News on 6 reported that police went to the home later that day and spoke to a DHS worker. That person allegedly said they had no concern about the well-being of children in the home. The DHS worker added that the punishment was “likely more effective than forcing the girl to sit down and put shoes on.”
Wike filed a report with Oklahoma Human Services, KGET reported. The agency released a statement.
“The safety and well being of our state’s children, particularly those in foster care, are top priorities for Oklahoma Human Services,” the statement read. “We are aware of this situation but are unable to offer additional details at this time. However, we want to reassure the public that all safety concerns related to this situation are being addressed.”
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Wike’s video shocked many. News on 6 posted a clip on Facebook, and people condemned the foster parents in the comment section.
A fellow foster parent wrote, “I can’t believe that law enforcement left her there. I’m certified foster, let me come get her! That is ridiculous! What is wrong with our system??”
This person agreed, commenting, “Foster parents?? Yes. Close that house down. That’s inexcusable. This poor little girl probably has trauma, probably wasn’t wanted, sent to a complete stranger’s house and this is how she’s treated?”
Andrew Fultz faces one count of child neglect, per KTUL. He posted a $50,000 bond a short time after his arrest. A court dismissed Kaytlin Fultz’s case. Andrew Fultz will appear in court again March 11, 2025.
