A Pittsburgh woman with physical disabilities was sexually assaulted by her aide, according to city police.
Police have charged the aide, Vanessa C. Callender, 30, of Dormont, with one felony count of institutional sexual assault, court records show.
Callender was arraigned Friday and District Judge Anthony M. Ceoffe set her bail at $10,000, court records show. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10.
Police said Callender sexually assaulted the woman in her Brookline apartment around 8 p.m. June 28, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
The alleged victim, who cannot walk and uses a wheelchair, lives in a Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh apartment meant for people with physical and mental disabilities, the complaint said. The victim told police that she needs an aide to assist her with her day-to-day activities.
Police said Callender admitted to the sexual assault during an interview with investigators, the complaint said.
“Callender said that she knows now that what happened was wrong,” the complaint said.
Callender has been fired from her job as an aide for the Castle Shannon-based Bright Star Care of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the company confirmed Friday.
Bright Star Care officials did not make any further comment.
