Taunton Man Sentenced for Indecent Assault on Disabled Girl

FALL RIVER — A 47-year-old Taunton man who indecently assaulted a young intellectually disabled girl in 2017 has been sentenced to serve 12 to 15 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Christopher Dewhurst pleaded guilty on December 30 in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with one count of assault to rape a person under 16 and three counts of indecent assault and battery on an intellectually disabled person.

On the evening of October 6, 2017, the defendant was taking care of the victim and her siblings while the victim’s mother was having dinner with friends. When the mother arrived back home, she found the defendant naked on a bed with the victim. The mother immediately called the police and the defendant was placed under arrest. During the ensuing investigation, the defendant’s DNA (saliva) was located on the victim’s breast and in her underwear.

In addition to imposing the 12-to-15-year state prison, Judge Debra Squires-Lee also placed the defendant on supervised probation for an additional 10 years. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Thompson.

“The defendant took advantage of his developmentally disabled relative to sexually assault her. This conduct is reprehensible and the lengthy prison sentence was more than justified,” District Attorney Quinn said.

— Bristol County District Attorney’s Office