Social workers protest probation in child-sex case

Kim Smith

Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001 | 10:32 a.m.

One dozen state social workers watched in anger Wednesday as one of their former co-workers was sentenced to five years' probation for sexually abusing five emotionally handicapped children.

Rick Taylor, 38, was sentenced by District Judge Joseph Bonaventure under the terms of a plea agreement worked out between prosecutors and Taylor's defense attorney. He was also ordered to serve 90 days of house arrest.

Should Taylor violate the terms of his probation, he could receive a nine to 24-year prison sentence.

Taylor worked at the state-run Oasis Residential Treatment Center, 6171 W. Charleston Blvd., from July 1998 until June 2000. During that time, authorities allege, he abused five boys between 9 and 15.

In essence, Taylor pleaded no contest to four counts of attempted lewdness with a child, one count of attempted sexual assault and one count of felony open and gross lewdness in June.

Taylor's former co-workers gathered in Bonaventure's courtroom to let him know they are disgusted by the "sweetheart deal" Taylor was given.

Lisa Stallworth and Lisa Martinez, two social workers who spoke on behalf of the children and several co-workers, told Bonaventure their young wards are terrified Taylor will find a way to abuse them again.

The women said Taylor knowingly betrayed the trust of five young men who have already been through so much, and he should be sentenced to as much time in prison as possible.

Stallworth also read a letter written by one of the young victims in which the child says Taylor is a rotten piece of cow dung and he hopes Taylor "rots in hell."

Bonaventure told the crowd that sometimes plea agreements are for the best, especially if there is a chance the defendant is acquitted at trial.

Bonaventure, Deputy District Attorney Lisa Luzaich and defense attorney Christopher Oram noted that in the Taylor case, some of the youths have made allegations in the past that could not be substantiated and that would have given Oram an edge while cross-examining the youths about Taylor.

This way at least, Taylor will have to receive sex offender counseling, undergo intensive supervision, register as a sex offender and submit to frequent search of his house for child pornography and alcohol, Bonaventure said.

In addition, Taylor will not be allowed to work with children or go anywhere near schools, playgrounds, movies or businesses that cater to children.

He also cannot interact with children under 18 unless he is supervised by another adult. He will also have to submit to polygraphs at his probation officer's request.

"Wouldn't it be a tragedy if the jury was to let him go free ... without having a 20-year hammer over him or life-time supervision?" Bonaventure asked.

Bonaventure then lit into Taylor, who declined to make a comment on his own behalf.

"I don't know how you can live with yourself, Mr. Taylor. I don't know how you can live with yourself," Bonaventure said. "To take advantage of young children like that is horrendous. I'm not a poet. I'm not Shakespeare. I can't express the disgust I have for you.

"If you violate one condition, just one, I'll look forward to having you before me again, Mr. Taylor," Bonaventure said.