A caregiver has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting and impregnating a severely disabled woman at an Illinois facility where he worked. Isaiah Fields, 23, took advantage of the 43-year-old woman with Rett Syndrome, causing her to have cognitive conditions similar to an infant, at the Marklund Hyde Center between August 1, 2023, and September 5, 2023, as reported by the Daily Herald. During his sentencing in Kane County court, Fields tried to apologize to the victim’s family, stating, “There is no reason or set of experiences that could justify hurting anyone in any way.”
The victim, who has lived at the disability center since her early 20s, is unable to read, write, talk, or consent to sex due to her severe disabilities. The disturbing incident came to light when she was hospitalized for liver and gallbladder issues and was discovered to be at least 31 weeks pregnant. A baby boy was born prematurely due to preeclampsia and tragically passed away after 11 weeks in a neonatal intensive care unit. Prosecutors matched the child’s DNA to Fields, leading to his imprisonment.
In addition to serving a 25-year prison sentence, Fields will be designated as a sex offender upon his release. Prosecutor Matthew Rodgers condemned Fields for preying on the vulnerable victim due to her disabilities, emphasizing that while no sentence can undo the harm caused, the outcome ensures accountability for his despicable actions. Support resources are available for survivors of sexual assault, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
