Counselor charged with raping resident at state center for developmental disabilities

BUCKLEY, Wash. – A supervisor at a state habilitation center in Buckley was charged Monday with raping a resident who has the mental capacity of an 8 year old.

Terry Wayne Shepard, 60, was charged with second-degree rape for the alleged incident that happened Sunday.

According to court documents, Shepard, who is an attendant counselor, was caught having sex with the patient by another counselor who was hoping to ask him if she could take a break.

DSHS issued a statement saying it will take swift disciplinary action against Shepard.

“It is absolutely abhorrent that someone would do this to one of our residents,” said Evelyn Perez, assistant secretary of DSHS Developmental Disabilities Administration.

Shepard pleaded not guilty on Monday. His bail was set at $500,000.

Rainier School is a 24-hour habilitation center for about 320 individuals with developmental disabilities.