Ex-social worker expected to plead guilty to sex charges


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LOGAN — The jury trial for a former social worker has been canceled as the man prepares to plead guilty to allegations he had sex with a 16-year-old client, according to his attorney.

A plea deal is in the works for Donavan D. Faucette, 35, of Hyrum, his attorney confirmed Monday. A jury trial had been scheduled to begin March 1.

Faucette, a clinical social worker who had worked for Bear River Mental Health for about seven years, surrendered his license last May after being charged with two counts of forcible sodomy, as well as individual counts of rape and object rape. All the charges are first-degree felonies.

"He's willing to accept responsibility for what he did and is working toward working out an agreement that would allow him to take responsibility and get it behind him," said defense attorney Shannon Demler.

Faucette is expected to plead guilty at a Feb. 22 hearing as part of an agreement that is being negotiated with prosecutors, Demler said. Details about the deal were not available Monday.

According to charging documents and the division's license surrender order, Faucette "engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female client."

The incident is alleged to have occurred on a Friday last May, prompting Faucette to call his boss at Bear River Mental Health the following Sunday to report what happened and resign, the company reported at the time.

Faucette's employer then called police, who arrested him.

Faucette worked in both Cache Valley and Rich County, providing therapy for elementary school-aged students. The girl in this case did not go to any of the schools to which Faucette was assigned. She reportedly contracted privately with Faucette.

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McKenzie Romero

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