Caregiver Accused Of Sexually Abusing Disabled Man
PARKVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—What started as a child pornography investigation uncovered much more. Baltimore County Police say a Parkville man is under arrest for sexually abusing someone with developmental disabilities.
Derek Valcourt explains what police found.
When police searched the suspect's computer, not only did they find child porn, they stumbled across a video they say shows him sexually abusing a man with developmental disabilities at the group home where he worked.
Tony Chestnut, 56, was arrested for sexually abusing a developmentally disabled adult man.
The proof police say was found on computer. Video files were seized from the Parkville home he shares with his wife and daughter.
"Devastating," said Barbara McAllister, neighbor. "I can't believe it because I know them. They're my next door neighbors."
Community members were stunned to learn about the charges, in part, because Chestnut's own daughter is developmentally disabled.
WJZ has learned the assault took place at a Catholic Charities group home on Conduit Road in Parkville, where Chestnut worked.
"He had access," said Lt. Rob McCullough, Baltimore County Police. "And right now it looks like he had been committing these offenses for quite some time."
Catholic Charities has declined an interview for this story. They say they were made aware of the situation by police on Wednesday and say Chestnut has been suspended pending the outcome of an administrative hearing.
Mary Anne Gibson lives near the group home.
"I'm shocked," she said. "I'm really shocked."
It's all disturbing to people who live near the group home and to Chestnut's neighbors.
"If I had a child that had to go to something I think I would think twice now," Gibson said.
"I cannot believe what I'm hearing, and I still believe that you're innocent until you're proven guilty," McAllister said. "I'm just waiting to hear the outcome and prayers are going up in all directions. I feel for his family, his wife and his child."
The victim in this case is a man with such severe developmental disabilities that he's not even able to speak. Chestnut confessed to police that's the reason why he chose that victim, according to court charging documents.
Chestnut faces 10 criminal charges, including multiple counts of sexual abuse and child pornography.
