A former caregiver at an Illinois assisted-living facility has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of raping and impregnating a severely disabled resident.
Isaiah Fields, 23, of Batavia, Illinois, was employed at Marklund’s Hyde Center in Geneva, a facility that houses individuals with severe physical and mental disabilities. The victim, a 43-year-old woman who has lived there for over two decades, suffers from Rett syndrome, a disorder that prevents her from speaking, standing, or using her hands.
Shocking Discovery at Hospital
In April 2024, the victim was taken to a hospital for unrelated medical tests when doctors made a horrifying discovery—she was between 31 and 35 weeks pregnant and suffering from preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication. Due to her medical condition and physical limitations, her pregnancy had gone unnoticed.
She underwent an emergency C-section, and her baby, named R.J., was placed in neonatal intensive care. Tragically, after 11 weeks, the newborn did not survive.
DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest
Authorities collected DNA samples from three male staff members at the facility. Testing confirmed that Fields was the father of the child. Following this confirmation, Kane County officials issued a sealed arrest warrant.
Fields later pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony—one of the most serious charges under Illinois law, carrying a minimum sentence of six to 30 years.
Sentencing and Lifetime Registration
On Friday, a judge sentenced Fields to 25 years in prison, requiring him to serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
During his sentencing, Fields expressed remorse and attempted to justify his actions by citing past struggles with drug use and personal trauma. However, prosecutors dismissed his explanations as excuses for an unthinkable crime.
