Caretaker Sentenced to Up to 28 Years for Sexually Abusing Residents with Disabilities at Pennsylvania Care Home

A former caretaker has been sentenced to up to 28 years in prison for sexually abusing 14 people with physical and intellectual disabilities at a personal care home in Pennsylvania. James Zook, 69, received the sentence for the sexual assault of residents at the Faith Friendship Villa. He had worked at the nonprofit personal care home for about 20 years. The victims' ages ranged from 33 to 69, and all of them had intellectual or physical disabilities. Zook pleaded guilty to multiple counts of assault and disorderly conduct. He was described as a man who used his position to victimize vulnerable adults over a 15-plus year period.

Victims' Vulnerability

The victims had experienced trauma and abuse previously in their lives and sought refuge at Faith Friendship Villa. Zook was found to be a sexually violent predator, leading to lifetime registration as a sex offender and notification of neighbors under Megan's Law. He was arrested and charged with institutional sexual assault and indecent assault after a victim reported him, with further charges added later. All the victims disclosed sexual abuse spanning from 2007 until 2022.