Smyrna Police detectives have charged a Dover man with the rape of a vulnerable adult, officials said Friday.
Authorities said on Sunday, May 23, 2021, detectives were alerted that an adult female victim was at Kent General Hospital for treatment of a sexual assault that had occurred in Smyrna. During their investigation, Detectives learned that the woman is a resident of a group home for vulnerable adults.
Officials said a male caseworker assigned to the home, Carlette Wheeler, 46 of Dover, allegedly forcibly raped and assaulted the victim while he was alone with her. Wheeler turned himself into Smyrna Police on Thursday after Detectives obtained warrants for his arrest. He was arraigned via video court in JP #2 on the following charges:
Rape 1st degree
Rape 2nd degree
4 counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact 3rd degree
Sexual Harassment
Indecent Exposure
After arraignment, Wheeler was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $164,200 secured bond.