Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Assault On Blind, Deaf Girl

From: TheDenverChannel.com, CO - Oct 8, 2005

DENVER -- A former hospice worker pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a blind, deaf and nearly comatose 10-year-old girl with a terminal illness.

James Philpott, 55, told investigators he had sex with the girl because he wanted her to experience pleasure before she died, according to police.

He pleaded guilty Friday and faces a sentence of four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 18.

Philpott, a licensed practical nurse, worked at the Hospice of St. John in Lakewood. The hospice said he resigned in July 2004 for reasons unrelated to the allegations.

Philpott had also been charged with sexually assaulting an 89-year-old woman at the hospice, but those charges were dismissed because the woman suffered from dementia and wasn't sure whether she had been assaulted. Philpott denied having sexual contact with her.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.