An former junior high school custodian who received help from students to pay his medical bills is accused of groping a woman with Down syndrome.
Terry R. Birch, 44, was charged Tuesday with one count of forcible sexual abuse, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Birch on Wednesday night remained in the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.
Charging documents say the victim is a 35-year-old woman with Down syndrome. The documents say she functions on the level of a 5- to 7-year-old.
Birch was at the woman's residence in Salt Lake County and touched her breasts "skin to skin" and rubbed her buttocks while hugging her, according to the documents.
In 2006, Birch was a custodian at Olympus Junior High. According to a KSL-TV story at the time, Birch was born deaf in one ear, had marginal hearing in the other ear and needed cochlear implants. He also had a wife recovering from breast cancer surgery and two children who also were hearing impaired.
Students helped Birch raise money by sending 1,200 letters to their favorite celebrities. According to KSL, Roger Federer, Magic Johnson, Steve Young and Sting all sent autographed items.
Ben Horsley, a spokesman for the Granite School District, said Birch was terminated some time ago, but could not research details after business hours Wednesday.
