Jury convicts registered behavioral technician of raping, sexually abusing 13 year old autistic child
Multnomah Co. District Attorney's Office
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a 12-person jury unanimously convicted 29-year-old Abigail Kim of one count of rape in the second degree, one count of sodomy in the second degree and six counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.
During the 10-day trial, the state presented evidence that proved the victim was a 13 year old autistic male when Kim sexually assaulted him in the fall of 2017. Kim was employed as a registered behavioral technician and worked for a company that provided behavioral therapy to autistic children. The victim in this case was her client.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero, who prosecuted this case, presented evidence that showed Kim has a master's degree in teaching with a specialization in Applied Behavioral Analysis, and that she was in a position of power over the victim. Over the course of months, Kim developed a relationship with the victim, which resulted in significant sexual contact. When Kim was fired from her job, she tried to deflect blame by accusing the 13 year old of rape and sexual assault. The jury was instructed that they could not find Kim guilty of any crime unless they found her to be a willing participant in the sexual conduct.
The jury also found sentencing enhancement factors on each count that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that Kim violated her professional responsibilities.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Kim was a mandatory reporter of child abuse and that she had ethical obligations prohibiting sexual conduct with a client.
This trial, which started February 19, 2019, was presided over by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge David F. Rees. The jury deliberated for approximately 60 minutes.
Sentencing in this case is tentatively scheduled for May 24, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will have no other comment on this case at this time pending sentencing.
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a 12-person jury unanimously convicted 29-year-old Abigail Kim of one count of rape in the second degree, one count of sodomy in the second degree and six counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.
During the 10-day trial, the state presented evidence that proved the victim was a 13 year old autistic male when Kim sexually assaulted him in the fall of 2017. Kim was employed as a registered behavioral technician and worked for a company that provided behavioral therapy to autistic children. The victim in this case was her client.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero, who prosecuted this case, presented evidence that showed Kim has a master's degree in teaching with a specialization in Applied Behavioral Analysis, and that she was in a position of power over the victim. Over the course of months, Kim developed a relationship with the victim, which resulted in significant sexual contact. When Kim was fired from her job, she tried to deflect blame by accusing the 13 year old of rape and sexual assault. The jury was instructed that they could not find Kim guilty of any crime unless they found her to be a willing participant in the sexual conduct.
The jury also found sentencing enhancement factors on each count that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that Kim violated her professional responsibilities.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Kim was a mandatory reporter of child abuse and that she had ethical obligations prohibiting sexual conduct with a client.
This trial, which started February 19, 2019, was presided over by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge David F. Rees. The jury deliberated for approximately 60 minutes.
Sentencing in this case is tentatively scheduled for May 24, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will have no other comment on this case at this time pending sentencing.
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