Jury Convicts Behavioral Therapist for Molesting Autistic Client

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Multnomah County jury convicted a 29-year-old former behavioral therapist of sexually abusing a 13-year-old autistic boy who was her client.

The Multnomah County District Attorney says that a jury unanimously found Abigail Kim guilty on Monday of one count each of second-degree rape and sodomy and six counts of first-degree sexual assault.

Kim worked for a company that provided behavioral therapy to autistic children and worked with the boy in 2017.

Prosecutor Melissa Marrero says Kim developed a trusting relationship with him over months and was in a position of authority over him when the abuse occurred.

Kim’s defense attorney argued that the boy initiated the contact and sexually assaulted her, but Kim did not report it until the intensity and frequency increased.

Kim will be sentenced in May.