Police: Grass Valley Babysitter, 16, Drugged, Sexually Assaulted By Man Who Hired Her
GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) — A teenage babysitter hired by a man to care for a child was instead drugged and sexually assaulted, Grass Valley Police said.
Police say the assault happened when Randolph Gorton invited the teen to his apartment to watch his two kids, and they say it wasn't the teen's first time babysitting his children.
"The opportunity was there and he took it to victimize her," said Lt. Steve Johnson.
Drugged and defenseless is how police say the 35-year-old left his child's babysitter before sexually assaulting her.
"He was able to give her some illegal substances, namely methamphetamine, that alters your state of consciousness can cause judgement impairment," Johnson said.
When the 16-year-old got to the apartment, Gorton gave her meth and then raped her.
"Perhaps it was the opportunity that was available to him because his girlfriend was not home, she was out of the residence," Johnson said.
Johnson says the teen's family did know Gorton and the girl had watched his kids for him several times before.
"This was a situation where she had babysat without incident previously so there was at least a level of trust there," he said.
CBS13 asked the owner of Capitol Park Nannies in Sacramento if there is anything babysitters can do to be safer on the job.
Rachel Urtiaga says agencies like hers do strict background checks on both the babysitters and the families.
"It's very important to use an agency just because you never know whom you may run across," she said.
She also says not to go alone, meet the family in a public place, or have some form of protection.
CBS13 tried going by the apartment but nobody came to the door. Neighbors tell CBS13 they are shocked by Gorton's arrest.
Meanwhile police are concerned there could be other victims.
Gorton is being held on $100,000 bail.
