UPDATED: Teen, 18, Charged With Rape of Framingham High Student in Wooded Area

Originally posted on Nov. 5. Updated for Friday, Nov. 6 newsletter.

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Patrick Cowart, 18, of Framingham, was arraigned on a charge of rape in Framingham District Court.

Judge David Cunis set bail at $50,000 cash. The judge ordered Cowart to wear a GPS monitoring device, to remain confined to his home, and to stay away from the victim and witnesses, as well as Framingham Public Schools.

Cowart, who lives at 1224 Edgell Road, is accused of raping a Framingham High student, during school hours, in a wooded area adjacent to the school. Framingham Patch sent out a news alert of his arrest Thursday morning.

The address of 1224 Edgell Road is a group home, operated by Brandon School and Residential Treatment Program.

Cowart, according to Framingham High students, is new to Framingham High this year.

“The defendant in this case allegedly took advantage of the victim when she was in a vulnerable state,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan. “We are actively working with school officials and the Framingham Police Department to fully investigate this matter.”

Cowart has a juvenile record, with five incidents, that were not named during his arraignment.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Framingham High School administrators located a female student, age 17, in the wooded area near the school after recognizing that she was missing from her afternoon class.

The student appeared to be disoriented. She was then transported to Metrowest Medical Center, according to the DA’s office.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Brunelli said in court Thursday the victim was “incoherent and unable to speak,” according to WHDH-TV.

“She did not have any pants or underwear on,” said Brunelli. “She appeared to be intoxicated.”

While conducting an investigation authorities were informed that the defendant allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.

Cowart said he had sex with the teen, but that it was consensual sex.

Cowart and the female teen, 17, were in the woods with two other male students, at the time of the incident, and were all supposed to have been in school.

The witnesses said it looked like she was “getting raped,” said the Brunelli in court on Thursday.

Cowart’s lawyer Bridget Bradley said the Framingham School system needs to be looked at, according to WHDH-TV.

“Somebody needs to look at the school,” said Bradley after the arraignment. “Someone should have been watching them. “

She said somebody needs to investigate the school system.

Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott’s office issued the following statement Thursday afternoon: “Yesterday Framingham High School faculty and administration responded to a concern regarding students who had left the building without permission. Staff members followed safety protocols and found the students off school grounds. The Framingham High School Administration Team is working with Police and the District Attorney’s office to investigate serious allegations relating to these events. Concerns were isolated to the students involved. At all times students inside the building were safe. We know and appreciate that the community understands the necessity of respecting student privacy within these matters.”

This charge is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, said the DA’s office.

This case is being investigated by the Framingham Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

The next scheduled hearing in this case is Monday, Dec. 7.

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Photo courtesy of WHDH, 7-news