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MIDVALE — A physical therapist has been charged with sexually abusing an adult patient with the mental capacity of a child.
Kordell Howell, 65, of Midvale, was charged Monday in 3rd District Court with object rape, a first-degree felony; three counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and trespassing, a class A misdemeanor.
Howell worked with a woman who suffered a brain injury in 2019 that "resulted in significant cognitive, language, processing and functional deficits. She does not have the ability to nor the capacity, to make decisions for herself," according to charging documents.
In September, Howell went to a nursing care facility in West Valley City where the woman resides and inappropriately touched her, the charges allege.
"In this case the defendant was in a special position of trust to the victim who has the mental capacity of a child. (Howell) visited the victim outside of professionally appropriate hours and reasons. (He) exhibited inappropriate behavior with the victim, such as kissing her and touching her while not providing treatment," charging documents state. "Several staff members at the treatment facility witnessed the defendant's inappropriate behavior with the victim and the defendant was told to stay away from her and refused."
Howell was removed from the facility on Sept. 22, but returned last week, the charges say.
Howell has an occupational therapy assistant license, according to the state's professional licensing website.
