Man accused of molesting child commits suicide

FAIRLEE, Vt.—Vermont State Police say a former foster parent accused of child molestation has died of an apparent suicide.

Police say 59-year-old Frank C. Taplin, of Norwich, shot himself Tuesday in a roadside pull-off.

Taplin, formerly of Bethel, was charged last year with aggravated sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. His trial was expected to start in April.

On Wednesday, a Westminster man charged with animal cruelty for beating a dog and burying it in a snow bank committed suicide.

State Police say 61-year-old Edward Paul Grysko (Griss-KO) was despondent over the death of his youngest son three years ago and his arrest last week in the highly publicized cruelty case in Bellows Falls.