WAREHAM, Mass.—A state employee who works with people with disabilities is facing charges that he sexually abused a boy.
Russell Rezendes was arraigned Friday in Wareham District Court on a half-dozen charges including rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
Police say the alleged abuse occurred at Rezendes' Wareham home and not at his job. Rezendes, who works for the state Department of Mental Retardation, is a caretaker at a Cape Cod home for men with disabilities.
A spokeswoman for the department says Rezendes has been suspended without pay, and there have been no complaints about him on the job.
Police say the alleged abuse began in 2003.
Rezendes is being held pending a dangerousness hearing next week.
------
Information from: Cape Cod Times, http://www.capecodonline.com
