Josh Powell had hundreds of graphic images
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Josh Powell had hundreds of images of disturbing cartoon sex and graphic depictions of incest on his home computer, something Utah authorities investigating his wife’s disappearance kept private for about two years, according to files released Friday.
A Washington state psychologist who had previously said Powell’s strong parenting skills should allow him to continue supervised visits altered his assessment after reviewing the images, calling them a “great concern” and suggesting a more intense evaluation of the father. That conclusion came just six days before he killed himself and his two sons in an explosive house fire two weeks ago.
Many of the approximately 400 images described in the state social services included sexual depictions of popular cartoons, including child-focused characters such as Rugrats, Dennis the Menace and SpongeBob SquarePants. Another 15 images showed 3-D depictions of sex involving parents and their children.
Powell initially told the psychologist he visited only pornography sites featuring adults.
“Given the gaps of information about Mr. Powell there seems reason to conclude he may not presently be a stable and appropriate resource for his children,” wrote Dr. James Manley in a follow-up report.
Washington officials overseeing the care of Powell’s children first got word of the graphic content in November, when a Utah investigator wrote in an email that they were looking to disclose to social workers about 5-6 images recovered in 2009 shortly after Susan Powell’s disappearance.
