Friday, May 09, 2008

Sexual abuse by caregivers

I wish I could say this isn't true.

From this AP story in the Herald Bulletin

A Muncie couple has been accused of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled woman in their care for more than 13 years, according to the Star Press of Muncie.

Patricia Ann Tackett, 47, was arrested this week on a preliminary charge of sexual misconduct with a minor. Her husband, Duane Ray Tackett, 48, was taken into custody Wednesday on preliminary charges of sexual misconduct with a minor, criminal deviate conduct and child solicitation.

Both were being held without bond in the Delaware County jail Wednesday.

A break in the case came when the alleged victim, now 27, told an aunt of repeated sexual encounters with Duane Tackett during a 13-year period. Patricia Tackett also admitted participating in the sex crimes.

Although she is 27, police believe the alleged victim has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. Sgt. Linda Cook of the Muncie Police Department’s sex crimes unit called it the “most bizarre case” of sexual misconduct she has ever seen.