School Staffer Raped Disabled Student: Police

MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA — A worker at Chamberlain International School who police said raped an adult student with cognitive disabilities has turned himself in.

Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins said an arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Phillip Houtman, 28, of New Bedford. Houtman is charged with rape, assault to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability and open and gross lewdness.

Police said they were notified Sept. 30 that Houtman sexually assaulted a 18-year-old student at the private boarding and day school. The school is for students ages 11-22 with cognitive and developmental disorders and disabilities.

Houtman has worked as an overnight staff member for less than a year.