Prosecutors say the caregiver will spend the next 25 years in prison after sexually assaulting and conceived a severely disabled woman living in an Illinois facility where he worked.
Isaiah Fields, 23, used a 43-year-old woman with Rett syndrome at the Markland Hyde Centre between August 1, 2023 and September 5, 2023. The Daily Herald reported.
“There's no reason or a string of experience that anyone can justify hurting in any way,” Shikko reportedly said in Kane County Courthouse as he tried to apologise to the victim's family during ruling Friday.
According to the newspaper, women who have lived in centres serving disabled people since their early 20s are unable to agree to sex, or even consent to sex, according to the prosecutors.
The stomach-stroking crime was only discovered when a woman was checked out at the hospital for liver and gallbladder problems, and doctors found she was pregnant for at least 31 weeks, the newspaper reported.
A boy was born the next day because the woman suffered from pre-lammed disease. The newborn died after 11 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“[The baby] Prosecutor Matthew Rogers said during the ruling that the Daily Herald reported. “But by simply coming to this world, he did justice for his mother.”
The child's DNA coincided with the field, leading to his accusation, the Kane County State Law Office said.
He pleaded guilty in January to aggravate sexual assault for a crime.
In addition to his prison term, Field will be designated as a sex offender when he is released.
“Isaiah Fields preyed on this vulnerable victim due to her physical and intellectual disabilities,” Rogers said in a statement.
“While the harm of the cause cannot be revoked, today's results ensure that the defendant is liable for his despicable conduct and also represents the justice of the victim, her family and the Markland community.”
If you are living in New York after being sexually assaulted, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live out of state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
