‘Zack Morris’ Molestation Victims Bring Lawsuit Against Hawaii DHS
Two men who were sexually abused as teens say the foster care system failed to protect them from a man who emulated a fictional character from “Saved by the Bell.”
Two men who were sexually assaulted as minors by a foster parent who changed his name to Zack Morris based on the popular television show 鈥淪aved by the Bell鈥 are suing the Hawaii Department of Human Services for putting them in harm’s way.
The plaintiffs, who are identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, allege that the state鈥檚 foster care system failed to protect them from the man despite numerous warning signs about his behavior, including a strange lawsuit he had filed against the state, claiming he was the subject of unlawful investigations.
Florentino Rios
Submitted
Morris’ real name is Florentino Rios.
According to the plaintiffs鈥 attorney, Jon Jacobs, Rios worked the foster care system on several fronts, which allowed him to groom and molest his victims.
Rios was unemployed and had a history of homelessness. Jacobs said he had also provided the fake name of Zack Morris to DHS.
The lawsuit states Rios moved to Maui from Puerto Rico. He then adopted the name of the fictional TV character, and even dyed his hair and wore colored contacts to help fit the persona.
He is currently for the crimes he committed against the plaintiffs while they were placed in his care during periods from 2009 to 2011, and for sexually assaulting one of their younger brothers.
You can read a full press release and civil complaint here:
