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AMERICAN FORK — A staff member at a Utah County facility for disabled adults has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing one of the residents.
Jaron Spencer Squire, 20, of Highland, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday for investigation of forcible sodomy and two counts of forcible sexual abuse.
American Fork police were called Monday to the Utah State Developmental Center, which provides housing for "intellectually disabled adults," where Squire was found naked in a bathroom with "one of the intellectually disabled males being housed at the facility," according to a police booking affidavit.
When questioned, Squire said he had been working at the facility since October and was the victim's caregiver.
"Jaron informed me that a few months after being hired he went on a walk with the victim and during the walk the victim took off his clothing," according to the affidavit. "Jaron said he just watched the victim and then after they continued their walk."
Over the weekend, Squire and the victim engaged in sexual activity three times, the affidavit alleges.
"The victim is at the facility in American Fork because he has a severe intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and seizure disorder. He is also nonverbal and communicates through limited sign language. Although Jaron said the victim would ask and sometimes push for sexual encounters to happen, he cannot give consent to the acts," police wrote in the arrest report.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services issued a statement Tuesday evening stating that clients at the Utah State Developmental Center cannot give sexual consent, even if they are adults.
"As soon as we became aware of an allegation of inappropriate contact by this employee, we immediately contacted American Fork police, put the employee on administrative leave, began an internal investigation, and contacted the client's guardian. We have notified the employee of our intent to terminate employment. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement.
"An important part of our mission is to protect and care for individuals in our facilities. Our staff are in positions of great trust as they watch out for the well-being of our clients. The allegations against this employee are a direct violation of that trust and the exact opposite of the care and protection we expect our employees to provide our clients. In addition to the action we took regarding this employee's position, we are evaluating our policies and procedures to ensure the highest quality of care and safety for those we serve," the department stated.
