Woman pregnant 33 weeks before care center noticed, officials say. 3 workers suspended
Three workers at a health care facility for people with disabilities were suspended as authorities launched a sexual abuse investigation at the facility, Chicago-area officials said.
A long-term resident at the Marklund Center in Geneva was sexually assaulted and became pregnant, the facility told WBBM. She was 33 weeks along before staff learned of the pregnancy through a hospital checkup, according to WBBM.
As of April 17, the resident had given birth and is recovering, the facility told WMAQ.
Marklund is a nonprofit that serves people with “severe and profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs,” according to their website. The facility cares for more than 250 residents, clients and students and has over 500 staff members.
Marklund did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Department of Public Health were immediately notified when staff learned of the pregnancy on April 9, WBBM reported. The departments are investigating allegations of sexual abuse and how the resident’s pregnancy went unnoticed for so long.
“Part of her disability she has an extended-- she has a distended abdomen. That’s something we track on a weekly basis. And in the last week it had gone above baseline,” Gil Fonger, president and CEO at Marklund, told WLS.
The victim is nonverbal and cannot walk on her own, the facility told WMAQ.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the investigation.
Three male staff members were placed on leave and all current and some former staff members had DNA taken as part of the investigation, Fonger told WLS.
“In our 70-year history, we have never experienced anything like this. I can guarantee that we will do everything possible to ensure that Marklund will continue to provide a safe home for those we serve and the quality care and support that families have always expected from us,” Fonger told Fox32.
The victim has lived at the facility for 20 years and returned after giving birth, according to WMAQ.
Geneva is about a 45-mile drive west of Chicago.
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