|
Caseworker ‘went out of his way’
Rick Wise, above, a father and foster care provider, wrestles with his son, Ricky, at their Medford foster home. Ricky, 26, has Down’s Syndrome. Wise says the developmentally delayed are vulnerable to abuse because they are so trusting. Jackson zealous about friendships, say colleagues By Jonel Aleccia & Mark Freeman A Jackson County caseworker accused of sexually abusing his developmentally delayed clients went out of his way to nurture intense friendships with young men in his care, colleagues said. Until he was arrested Wednesday, those who worked with and depended upon Robert Jackson believed that was a good thing. In hindsight, former associates are flinching at recollections of the 62-year-old Talent man’s zeal. "He went overboard," said Bernice Aderson, a former adult foster care provider who knew Jackson professionally for years. "But I didn’t suspect anything. You just don’t." Aderson recalled several incidents in which male clients said they went to Jackson’s house to learn skills such as automobile repair. "Now, that just looms in my memory," Aderson said. Jackson was arraigned on 11 felony sex charges Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court. The seven first-degree sexual abuse charges and four first-degree sodomy charges allege that Jackson engaged in illegal and deviant sex acts with two developmentally disabled men between July 1, 1997 and last June 30, according to court documents. Three of the sex-abuse charges involve one victim; the remaining four sex-abuse and all four sodomy charges involve the other victim. The sex-abuse charges allege that Jackson improperly touched the men, while the sodomy charges allege deviant sexual intercourse, according to court documents. Judge Patricia Crain set bail at $2 million; Jackson was returned to the Jackson County Jail. State police investigators, who arrested Jackson Wednesday on allegations of 20 sex crimes, are pursuing the case. Prosecutor Terry Smith said she believed there will be additional victims identified, and possibly additional charges filed against Jackson, after more investigation is done. "These are ugly allegations," Public Defender Robert Whitnah said after the arraignment. "I want to remind people that these are allegations and we are all innocent until proven guilty." Several of Jackson’s co-workers and professional associates attended his 1:45 p.m. court arraignment Thursday. Among them was Jean Atalla, director of the developmental disabilities program where Jackson had been a case manager since 1988. Jackson retired July 23 when county officials confronted him, less than two weeks after abuse allegations were revealed in a counseling session. The counselor reported the incidents as required by law. The news of Jackson’s arrest stunned colleagues in the small, close-knit agency, said Hank Collins, county director of health and human services. "It was such a gruesome betrayal of trust," he said. Closed counseling sessions were held Thursday for workers, many of whom are parents of developmentally delayed children. "One staff member screamed: ‘Is this what’s going to happen to my son?’ " Collins said. "They’re all taking it very personally." Atalla confirmed that Jackson had cultivated friendships with clients outside of work situations. Some clients may have visited Jackson’s house, where the alleged abuse occurred, in connection with the case manager’s 33-year-old disabled son. "Some were friends of his son and it colored our perceptions that would normally send our antennae up," she said. "I am going to look at boundary issues with a more critical eye. That’s the biggest piece I can kick myself about." Atalla’s attention centered on the clients and their families, including parents worried that their children might have been victims. Herself the mother of a 21-year-old disabled son, Atalla said she tried to reassure callers that the agency takes precautions against abuse. Jackson, a former state-certified foster parent and Prospect School Board member, passed criminal background checks. "How do I tell them it won’t happen again? I have to come from where I am as a parent, which is that I could not live in a world where I could not trust anyone," Atalla said. "Bad things can happen, no matter what." The father of a 31-year-old developmentally disabled man in Jackson’s care expressed dismay at the allegations. "I am very disappointed," said Michael Quirk, a retired military officer from Ashland. "He abused his trust. Whether it’s a psychologist, a lawyer, a banker or a case worker, if they abuse handicapped people, it’s a terrible thing." Such an incident sends shivers through families of the more than 660 clients served by the agency, as well as others who care for disabled people at home. It’s a population especially susceptible to overtures of friendship, said Rick Wise, father of a 26-year-old son with Down syndrome. Wise is also a Medford foster care provider. "These kids are very outgoing, very innocent," he said. "No matter how much you tell them to be safe, they’re vulnerable." |
