Severely Impaired New Jersey Teen Sexually Assaulted By Caregiver, Suffers Broken Bone

A severely impaired 16-year-old girl in New Jersey was sexually assaulted by her caregiver, officials announced Wednesday.

According to local reports, the teen is wheelchair-bound and suffers from a degenerative brain disorder which prevents her from moving or speaking. She is fed and medicated through tubes.

Meanwhile, the accused, identified as 33-year-old Edmond DiPaolo, was employed by Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Inc. as a private duty nurse. He started caring for the unidentified teen seven months ago and used to look after her two days a week.

Officials said the investigation began in February after family members of the teen noticed an injury to her leg. Investigation revealed that the teen broke her femur during a sexual assault incident.

Following the investigation, the accused was taken into custody on March 21 and charged with aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was being held in Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.

Meanwhile, officials said anyone mistreated by the accused was requested to call New Jersey State Police Detective P. Ryba at the Red Lion Barracks at 609-859-2282.

The incident comes a few months after a caretaker in Alamance County, North Carolina, arrested for sexually assaulting a teen. The Alamance County Sheriff's Office started investigating the incident after receiving a report of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old girl. A joint investigation conducted by the Sheriff's office and Department of Social Services revealed that the accused, identified as 44-year-old Jeffery Rice, had sexually assaulted the teen several times.

Following the investigation, Rice was taken into custody and charged with one count each of sexual activity by a substitute parent, statutory sex offense with a child and attempted sexual activity by a substitute parent. He was also charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.