Sexual Battery Investigation/Arrest

Published on May 20, 2025

On November 6, 2024, the Melbourne Police Department was made aware of a series of events that took place between 2016 and 2018 at the Circles of Care building at 400 Sheridan Rd. in Melbourne. The victim advised at several different times during that timeframe, he was a patient at Circles of Care under a Baker Act. While there, a staff member, Foster Godbold III, entered his room and sexually abused him. The victim was between the ages of 13 and 14 at the time of the incidents.

The case was assigned to Detective Tom Cahalan. Det. Cahalan worked with the victim and was able to confirm Godbold was employed by Circles of Care as an Inpatient Mental Health Technician from July 18, 2016 to June 13, 2018. Further, Det. Cahalan was able to verify with Circles of Care records that the victim was a patient at Circles of Care during this timeframe as well.

Based on the victim’s statements, as well as other investigative measures, probable cause was established and a warrant was issued for Godbold. Since the victim was under a Baker Act, Godbold worked in a custodial authority role over the victim. As such, he was charged with 5 counts of Sexual Battery by a Custodial Authority on a victim aged 12 – 17 and 5 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition.

Through the course of the investigation, Det. Cahalan learned that Godbold was currently working as a traveling LPN. He had recently been in several areas in the Northwest United States. Godbold’s current location was confirmed as Lewiston, ID. Once the warrant was issued, Det. Cahalan travelled to Lewiston, ID. He worked directly with the Lewiston Police Department and located where Godbold was staying. With the assistance of the Lewiston Police Department, contact was made with Godbold and he was taken into custody on the warrant without incident.

Det. Cahalan conducted an interview with Godbold after the arrest and Godbold admitted to the information provided by the victim in this case. Fearing the possibility that Godbold may have additional, unknown victims, Godbold was asked if there were additional victims. Godbold denied additional incidents. Godbold was ultimately extradited to Brevard County on May 11, 2025. 

The Melbourne Police Department is still investigating this incident. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please call Detective Thomas Cahalan at (321) 608-6480. You can also provide information anonymously at crimeline.org or 800-423-TIPS (8477).