Staffer charged with raping, sexually assaulting cognitively disabled student

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. — A staff member at a private Middleborough school has been charged with raping and sexually assaulting a cognitively disabled adult student, police say.

Phillip Houtman, 28, of New Bedford, had been working at the Chamberlain International School as an overnight staff member for less than a year.

Middleborough Police said Houtman is accused of assaulting a 19-year-old student at the school.

The school is a private boarding and day school for students ages 11 through 22 who have cognitive and developmental disorders and disabilities.

Houtman is being charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability, rape, assault to rape and open and gross lewdness.

Police are strongly suggesting Houtman turn himself in while asking anyone with may have seen him or have knowledge of his whereabouts to call the department as soon as possible.

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