GARNER – Today, 78 year old Henry Rayhons of Garner, Iowa was arrested after charges were filed against him for 3rd Degree Sexual Abuse, a class C Felony. Rayhons is the House District 8 state representative.
On the evening of May 23, 2014, the Garner Police Department responded to the Concord Care Center, a long term care facility in Garner, Iowa, regarding a reported sexual abuse which had occurred earlier in the evening involving one of its residents and Rayhons. After obtaining initial information, the Garner Police Department requested the assistance of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for further investigation.
The criminal complaint states that on or about May 23, 2014, Rayhons committed sexual abuse upon the victim by performing a sex act upon her as a person suffering from mental defect or incapacity, after he had been told that the victim did not have the cognitive ability to give consent to any sexual activity.
Rayhons was arrested today, by Agents with the DCI, and transported to the Hancock County Jail. Rayhons was booked in the jail on $10,000 cash-only bond.
The Hancock County Attorney’s Office has referred this case to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
[poll random]
I could be wrong from my earlier comment but its hard for me to form my verdict from just the facts presented so far, did staff witness the incident, was there earlier abuse, how was their marriage? these ? these answers would help me to decide..
This story has me wondering if there is something we are missing, a lot of speculation but it said the Care Center told him no sexual contact, was either party asked about this subject or did they just determine on their own? What state of dementia did she have, who knows maybe she was the one who initiated, I know she died but that could have been from heart attack also. And why if they had iron clad evidence such as cameras did it take 3 months to charge and the victim now cannot testify? $$?
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see that Mr. Rayhon’s wife is not the only one with alzheimers.
Inhibitions may be surpressed and the sufferer is left with only the baser instincts. My father-in-law pestered my mother-in-law constantly for sex. He was very crude and that was not his normal demeanor. We had thought something was wrong, but that behavior was the clincher.
That may not be the case here, but as I said, I would not be surprised to find he also has cognitive issues.
@Anonymous-I had a relative that was the kindest, most decent man you ever saw. When he came down with alzheimers he completely changed and became a very dirty old man who thought about nothing but sex. The family started finding dirty magazines everywhere they looked. At 78 Mr. Rayhons could very well have it himself.
Just because she has alzheimers does not mean that she does not or did not recognize her husband. My grandmother also had it and the ONLY person that she knew was her husband. (Why would you deprive someone of the only one/person that makes them feel comfortable?) None of us were there or knows what really happened.
This is where ‘karma runs over the dogma’ when it comes to Republican lifestyle philosophy. Obviously this man still has working parts, and he turns to his wife “till death do us part” for his GOD GIVEN RIGHTS to satisfy his biological urges with his partner. If sex workers were allowed to operate, the man could have found release through one of them, but undoubtedly as a Republican he votes against the legalization of such a trade…so therefore his own laws bite him. Release the Kraken
Really peter, it’s the republicans fault because hookers are illegal so he had to use his wife?
Yep, about sums it up. 🙂
and you say I am biased.
Sad. What a weirdo. Reading the previous stories about his wife’s daughter gaining power of attorney I infer this was a ongoing thing. He must have been warned many times. As a State Rep you would think he would be more aware of the consequences of his actions. That said, a class C felony charge seems a bit harsh.
This is very disturbing. I work in long term care. Alzheimers is a very sad disease. In the later stages, they usually don’t recognize their spouses, children, and other family members. Don’t recognize their friends. And can become very defensive in certain situations. Even giving someone with this illness a shower can be extremely stressful and painful on the patient.
These patients can become very agitated very easily. He was wrong to take advantage of his wife like this. Married or not, if she was in later stages she did not have the ability to consent. I’m sure this was very hurtful to her at the time. And to have this happen with a patient in the room next to them?? Inexcusable. The incident happened in May, he should have had a court order that he could not be with her privately. I feel sorry for her and her kids for going through this.
We just don’t know enough about the nature of the contact between them to judge if it was an act of violence or not. And I doubt we will ever know. Even the roommate who allegedly reported the incident might not be a competent witness to understand what was happening.
The family seems to be at peace and that’s good enough for me.
Exactly, the room mate in the Alzsheimers unit must also have the same infliction and who can believe who? It’s too bad the media got ahold of it. As we all know a false accusation can ruin a persons life.
Don’t you think it’s kind of creepy to have sex, willing or not, in the same room as your wife’s roommate? That alone shows the poor judgment this guy has.
Court documents show that
“during an interview with a DCI agent on June 12th, 2014, Henry Rayhons admitted to having sexual contact with (victim) and to having a copy of the documentation regarding (victims) inability to give consent due to her lack of cognitive ability.”
@ Annie-Crazy thing is that if this was a Democrat you would say “Hang the S.O.B” but because he is Republican you defend him. I have the ability to think for myself and not let a political party tell me how I should think or who I should support. I support the person not the party and Democrat or Republican a sick S.O.B like this guy is not getting my support. It is sad that you can defend a guy that would do this to an Alzheimer patient because of a political affiliation.
Well said 83, I think you hit the nail right on the head. I also vote for the person and the political party, I consider myself an independent. Just remember though, there are plenty of Democrats out there that would act the same way if this guy were a Democrat. I think that both the far right and the far left do not have the ability to think for themselves and often embarrass themselves with some of their comments.
WRONG???I don’t care what letter he has behind his name. I feel for his family that this has to be aired out In private because they are embarrassed enough by him. Besides this is NOT a red America, a blue America, it is the United States of America. Did you forget that??
This is a tough one.
But he did violate the law.
And he was aware of it prior.
“Henry Rayhons also said he had a copy of the documention regarding his wife’s inability to give consent due to her lack of cognitive ability”
This a sad situation all around.
That’s a really sick comment.
@Just–????? Why is my comment Sick?
Viking, your comment was just fine. I agree with you. I was replying to 2old2fat, whose comment was removed.
Matt, please remove my reply. It no longer applies. Thx.
If a person cannot give consent (she had Alzheimer’s) it’s rape. That’s the law, so they have to prosecute.
Think about this. In her condition, she may have thought a complete stranger was assaulting her. Can you imagine how scary that would be?
@JMO-I am having trouble deciding on this. On one hand they were married and it could have been a act of love (at their age I would think that is the case) On the other hand if he forced himself on her that would be different. I guess we will wait and see what happens. If they drop the charges I would say it was political and never should have been filed.
This is very sad. But, he knew what he was doing. The article clearly states that he had a document stating he knew it would be wrong, under the circumstances.. She had Alzheimer’s. I watched my mother die of this devastating disease and there is no way in hell Rayhon’s wife could have been a willing partner.. This is shameful. It is rape. Yes, you can rape a wife. Just because u are married doesn’t give you a right! That poor woman had to just lie there and take it-Shame on Henry.
This is an unfortunate situation. Some years ago the State passed dependent adult abuse laws that are designed to protect the rights of persons who are not competent. The intent was to protect Grandma from someone stealing her social security check as well as verbal, physical and sexual misconduct. I’m confident that he is an honorable man but someone reported it and the nursing home is required by law to notify the State.
Pathetic!
Stupid charges. Certainly the police have real criminals to go after.
so does that mean if you are married and your spouse gets so drunk they pass out and you have sex with them, you could be arrested?
I would certainly hope so!! That is a felony you idiot!!
You are calling me a name for asking a question?
This all sounds very strange. This was his wife and he is 78, to what was the sexual contact involved? This was his wife… coulded this have been settled without felony charges? Political? I will have yo watch for details and if charges are dropped.
“Linda Upmeyer, a prominent leader in Iowa is the daughter if Im not mistaken.”
You are mistaken…..Linda Upmeyer’s father was Del Stromer.
Thank you. My apologies, I stand corrected.
That’s how rumors get started.
The Care Center is mandated under dependent adult abuse laws to report incidents of unwanted, non consensual sex acts or other acts which are considered abuse. Who knows what really happened but it is indeed sad for all involved. Linda Upmeyer, a prominent leader in Iowa is the daughter if Im not mistaken.
What a family reunion that would be.
So let me get this straight, he was arrested for having sex with his wife?
@maybe-sure sounds like it doesn’t it. Makes one wonder if it is a set up.
He was arrested for raping his wife who was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease?? That is just sick…. And he is a fricken criminal for doing that.I am just appalled at the comments on here.
That is an egregious act on a defenseless person. It is no different the child abuse. At the end of her life, my mother, with Alzheimer’s, had the mental capacity of a child… Where in anyone’s mind, could his behavior be ok– I cannot believe anyone not getting this…
Marybeth, you are spot on and I should have realized that earlier.
My own mother went through the terrible thing called alzheimers as well.
“The long goodbye” as it is refered to.
And she was as yours, completely unaware of who she was, where she was or who we were in the latter years.
Donna Lou Rayhons was not given the respect due her from her own husband and for that he should be deeply ashamed.
I am humbled for not seeing that right away.
Who in this case was not mentally ill ?
This is the type of individual we have creating laws in our state?
This is totally messed up!
Well we have a President of these US that goes around over and under the Constituation and that’s not sick ,,,,????
I would agree, he’s not the best president we’ve ever had. But the thing is he’s not raping people is he? Quit thinking from your Republican side of your brain and have some common sense
Maybe not raping people but certainly killing people.
@MC83-I would agree that the president has nothing to do with this. He has plenty he is responsible for, but not this.