Former CPS worker arrested in Alaska

AUSTIN/ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KXAN) - A former Austin Child Protective Services worker is arrested for sex abuse of a minor in Anchorage, Alaska.

Mark LeVrier, 52, is from Quitman, Arkansas. 

Anchorage police said they believe LeVrier helped a family move to Alaska from Arkansas in September. Authorities said a 12-year-old family member told her parents that LeVrier sexually molested her. 

When the family confronted LeVrier, police said he admitted to the molestation and left Alaska. 

During the Anchorage police investigation, officials learned LeVrier was formerly a Child Protective Services worker in the Austin area and had formerly lived in Lockhart, Texas. 

CPS is looking for his personnel file but believe he retired in 2006 in good standing. For the last 11 years of  his tenure, he worked in the hotline division and didn't interact with children in the system.

"There's a criminal background check and there's a check of the child abuse registry," said CPS Public Information Officer Chris Van Deusen. "So, if there is some history of either a criminal violation or history of child abuse, that would come up."

But, Sandra Martin, with the Center for Child Protection said there needs to be more surveillance on those who work with children in state custody.

"I think its a big mistake for people to assume that once they've gone through a very perfunctory checks that you can then turn that person loose," she said. "There needs to be a follow up." 

Anchorage detectives said they believe there may be additional victims in Texas or his current home of Arkansas. 

LeVrier returned to Alaska and turned himself in. His bail was set at $50,000.