Rape, Forced Oral Sex, Genital Lacerations—Reports at Sonoma Developmental Center Went Uninvestigated

At least 36 reports of rape, forced oral sex and molestation of patients at Sonoma Developmental Center and other state run operations for the intellectually disabled have gone uninvestigated in the past four years, without any collection of evidence, according to an investigative report from California Watch .

The Sonoma facility in Eldridge is among several operations in five California counties that provide board and care services to people with cerebral palsy and other intellectual disabilities, many of whom have an IQ in the single digits and can't speak, according to California Watch. Most of the cases are reported to have occurred at the Sonoma location. In one case, a woman who is named as "Jennifer," was reported to have given birth. This California Watch video offers a narrated account by a woman reported to be Jennifer's mother. 

The report is the latest in a series of stories of alleged abuse suffered by patients at the hands of caretakers who are supposed to be overseen by the state's Office of Protective Services—the people hired to enforce law and protect clients. Other stories involved stun-gun assaults on multiple patients and a suspected homicide. 

The report further states, "Despite its sloppy record, the force managed to collect more overtime pay than other police agencies its size."

Sonoma Developmental Center houses about 500 men and women who are not able to live with their families due to their conditions.

California Watch was able to obtain confidential records about these facilities through sources. Most of the cases are reported to have occurred at the Sonoma center. In one case, the report states, male caregivers were assigned to a patient even after a complaint of abuse by staff while the patient was bathing.

According to interviews with experts in the story, reports of sexual abuse by developmentally disabled are often ignored because they cannot communicate well.

“This leaves the person with a disability continually vulnerable to victimization, because perpetrators come to learn they may victimize them without fear of consequences,” according to one expert.

Earlier this year, the Department of Developmental Services issued a statement  saying it was working on improvements at Sonoma. Executive Director Terri Delgadillo has declined interviews with California Watch and with Patch.

The full article by California Watch may be found by clicking here.

TELL US: Are you a parent of someone housed at the Sonoma Center? We'd like to hear from you. Email julie.pendray@patch.com  Readers, what do you think should be done to remedy these reported problems? Add your comment below.

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