State DSHS settles in foster child abuse case

SEATTLE – The Washington state Department of Social and Health Services has agreed to pay $7.3 million to three former foster children who were abused for years by their foster parent.

The three girls originally sought $45 million, claiming years of beatings, neglect and sexual victimization by Enrique Fabregas of the Seattle suburb of Redmond. The settlement was announced Friday by their lawyer David Moody.

Fabregas was sentenced in 2007 to four years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. The victim was one of his foster daughters. KING-TV said he was later deported to Spain.