Nurse Gets Prison for Sex with Disabled Boy

(East Greenbush, New York) In March 2006, a 47-year-old home-care registered nurse, Susan McDade, was arrested for sexually abusing a developmentally-disabled 17-year-old boy in her care.

The boy possessed the developmental skills of a 5-year-old and was incapable of giving consent. The charges resulted after a family member caught McDade and the boy in bed naked together.

In April 2006, Nurse McDade was indicted on charges of rape, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. She pleaded not guilty.

After a two-week trial in December 2007, McDade was found guilty by a Rensselaer County Court jury of second degree rape, sexual misconduct and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. The jury deliberated for a mere five hours.

Last week, Susan A. McDade, now 49, was sentenced by Judge Robert Jacon to one to three years in prison. Interestingly, McDade had earlier rejected a plea deal of six months in the county jail offered by the prosecutor.

Nevertheless, Assistant District Attorney Christina Book had called for the maximum of 2 1/3 to 7 years behind bars because McDade denies culpability.

"Ms. McDade still stands here today denying her actions," said Book. "Ms. McDade was in a position of trust for this family."

McDade's attorney, Andrew Safranko, said he intends to file a notice of appeal.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy