State Worker Accused of Raping Disabled Woman

BUCKLEY (AP) — A 60-year-old employee at a state-run center for people with developmental disabilities is accused of raping a female resident.

The Department of Social and Health Services, which operates Rainier School, said Monday that Terry Shepard was arrested Sunday. He was being held in Pierce County Jail on second-degree rape charges.

The agency says another counselor intervened when she witnessed the alleged incident and notified school officials and law enforcement.

DSHS says the woman was treated at a local hospital and her guardian was notified.

Evelyn Perez with DSHS called it "absolutely abhorrent" and promised swift disciplinary action against the employee.

KOMO-TV says that in court documents, the worker denied to police that he had any sexual contact with the client.

The school is home to about 320 adults.