For immediate release

Middleborough Police Department

Joseph Perkins, Chief of Police

350 Wood St.

Middleborough, MA 02346

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin

Phone: 781-428-3922

Email: [email protected]

Middleborough Police Charge Private School Staff Member with Sexually Assaulting Cognitively Disabled Adult Student

MIDDLEBOROUGH — Chief Joseph Perkins reports that the Middleborough Police Department has charged an employee at the Chamberlain International School with raping and sexually assaulting an adult student who is cognitively disabled.

Police have applied for and received an arrest warrant, charging PHILLIP HOUTMAN, AGE 28, OF NEW BEDFORD with:

Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person with an Intellectual Disability (Two Counts)

Rape

Assault to Rape

Open and Gross Lewdness

Chief Perkins is strongly suggesting that HOUTMAN turn himself in to police, and the Middleborough Police Department is asking anyone who may see HOUTMAN or have knowledge of his whereabouts to call the police department as soon as possible.

On Sept. 30, Middleborough Police were notified of an allegation about HOUTMAN, who allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old student at the school.

The Chamberlain International School is a private boarding and day school that serves students ages 11-22 who have cognitive and developmental disorders and disabilities.

HOUTMAN is an overnight staff member at the school and has worked there for less than a year, according to school administrators.

Anyone with information about HOUTMAN’S whereabouts is asked to call the Middleborough Police at 508-947-1212.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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