TEMPLE, Texas — A neighbor's security camera footage, two houses down from a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) foster home stationed in Temple, captured a bizarre scene early Friday, Nov. 24.
The video showed what appeared to be four teenagers, currently residing in the foster home, setting a fire that led to a small explosion in the driveway.
"I don't know if it was the initial blast of the blaze or what, but something triggered my camera from over there," neighbor Steven Bentsen said.
Bentsen reached out to the Temple fire marshal's office to make a complaint, unaware if the fire was set intentionally or by accident.
"There was nothing to indicate that anybody had called police or fire," Bentsen said.
Temple Fire Marshal Landy Setzer told Bentsen that Temple Fire Rescue did not receive a call reporting the incident at the time. However, Setzer told Bentsen in his correspondence, "what has occurred is a violation of city ordinance and appropriate action will be taken based on the information that we have."
"Why are these kids out at midnight, by themselves on their own up to this kind of stuff," Bentsen said.
Bentsen confirmed he reached out to DFPS in regards to the fire that was set in the driveway "demanding why the kids are lighting fires in the driveway next to me." Bentsen added that he copied both the Temple Chief of Police and the mayor on his email response to DFPS.
"The staff and the kids all rotate," Bentsen said. "So, if I talk to one about an issue who knows if they're ever going to be here again."
Bentsen said he has been in contact with DFPS inquiring about the lease on the home which he said is set to expire next month.
"Are they going to let this operation get bigger or what's going on," Bentsen said. "Even though the current contract ends on Dec. 14, I think more kids will come and more staff will come."
The fire is only the latest incident to prompt a call to 9-1-1 in regards to the foster home. According to Temple city records, there have been over 800 visits to the home by TPD since the DFPS lease began back in December of 2021 to October of 2023.
There has been a running total of 86 visits from the Temple Fire Department in the same timespan.
Mark Wilson the Texas DPFS Region 7 spokesperson said "the department continues to search for more homes to meet the needs of children without placement within the state's system."
"We continue to seek more placement capacity to meet the needs of youth without placement, including growth of the Treatment Family Foster Care program, four new Qualified Residential Treatment (QRTP) Programs, expansion of the Temporary Emergency Placement program (TEP) and a focus on Kinship care matched with additional services and supports," Wilson said in a portion of his statement to 6 News.
"We also are stepping up diversion efforts – to do everything possible to keep children and young people out of foster care in the first place. More emphasis is also placed on providing mental health/behavioral health supports to families who need them," Wilson added.
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