Therapist accused of sexually assaulting deaf patient faces stiffer charges

From: WOOD-TV, MI - Aug 18, 2005

(Update, Kent County, August 18, 2005, 12:15 p.m.) A therapist who authorities say had sex with a patient is facing newer and stiffer charges.

Police say Robert Eardley of Ada used his position as a therapist to lure a deaf patient into having sex.

He was originally charged with four counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which are misdemeanors.

He was in court Thursday morning and charged with ten more counts – five for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and five for sexual penetration/unethical medical treatment of a patient by a doctor, which is a ten-year felony.

The latest charges fall under a law adopted in 1931, if sex is used during treatment.

Eardley will be back in court next month.

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