Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sexual Assault Case of Man With Intellectual Disabilities




Adults with mental retardation or adult autism are many times more likely to be sexually abused than the general population.  The stats, from State to State, are stunning.  Those with developmental disabilities sometimes cannot speak at all.  Others are exploited emotionally and intellectually.  This vulnerable portion of the population is, for the most part, attempted by society to be protected.  Here is a case where prosecution must go forward, even though defense attorneys can rip the victim on the stand.  It takes a lot of courage for a prosecutor to go forward in a case like this.  

Health care provider accused of assaulting man

Prosecutors say victim is developmentally disabled adult



Police: Developmentally disabled man assaulted

SEABROOK, N.H. —A man has been accused of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled adult he met through his job as a health care provider...


Police said John C. Riley, 41, of Milton, took advantage of his position to sexually assault a man in November. Riley worked for a company called Living Innovations, where police said he had contact with the victim.
"The victim in this case is a 35-year-old man who has the mental ability of an 8-year-old," said Portsmouth police prosecutor Dave Colby. "This was not a random act. The state feels the victim in this case was groomed for a period of time before the act took place."
According to court documents, investigators said that while Riley was driving the man home on Nov. 2, he sexually assaulted the man in the parking lot of a Portsmouth business. Riley was charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault, kidnapping and indecent exposure.
"Mr. Riley would have had contact with the victim through his employment, which again is a service that provides services to the developmentally disabled," said Capt. Mike Schwartz.
Riley was honored last year as the direct support professional of the year, according to media reports. Officials at Living Innovations said they are shocked by the situation and are working closely with police.
In court Friday, prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing.
"The defendant does not have a motor vehicle history or a criminal history that the state can find," Colby said. "However, he has worked with the mentally handicapped for a period of time. As a matter of fact, he was worker of the year last year, and the state has concerns that there are other potential victims out there at this time."
The prosecutor called Riley a danger to himself and the community. His bail was set at $30,000.

8 comments:

dadgum said...

It is quite likely that this man has been assaulting those who cannot defend themselves for quite some time.

This is a current case in Florida:

http://sebring.wtsp.com/news/news/161128-consumer-org-state-or-fed-must-take-over-brain-rehab-institute

Trigger said...

"This man is a danger to himself and others"

He probably gave his victim a sexually transmitted disease, so someone investigated it and caught him.

Amaleen6 said...

I have a son with autism. I know, sooner or later, that I will probably have to place him in a group home. My biggest fear is of something like this. If and when I do place him, I'll be visiting often--and unannounced.

Mainah said...

Re: Dadgum, OT

Disturbing language on so many levels: "acceptable protocol" -for brain injured humans; by other (injured) humans.

Peter, The above read shared by dadgum (as do many things), underscores and testifies to the overwhelming need you mentioned about discernment. smh, wondering who's watching the watchers, thinking I can do little to change it (toward peace, grace, harmony), and where would one start, after oneself.

As "The Grapes of Wrath" is not a story about Tom Joad's family woes and evil bankers, but about 'mans humanity to man and lack thereof' so are these accounts of abuse(s).

Not sure if I ever felt more like one silly little droplet of rain falling into the ocean during a downpour.

It's also now dawning on me (alas, a few scales have fallen from my eyes)the material (I'm embarrassed and humbled) I have donated to your cause, SA pros and enthusiast, whilst dwelling aloud here in my infancy. :) Hey! Play nice!

For now I'm sticking with fiction satire writing, where, when it all gets too heavy, you can easily redirect a character, turn a corner and see a rainbow :), or not :(

Trigger said...

Amaleen6,

Group homes are laced with people who can easily abuse the helpless. Your fears are valid.

I was the victim of physical, sexual, and mental abuse, in a county home, at age 9.

Amaleen6 said...

Trigger, I'm sorry. I have definite ideas on what should be done to abusers of any sort. Unfortunately, the US Constitution gets in the way.

Lemon said...

Trigger, I'm so sorry.

Tania Cadogan said...

HUGS you tight Trigger