In August 2023, 23-year-old Isaiah Fields was entrusted with the care of the vulnerable residents at Marklund’s Hyde Center in Geneva, Illinois — a facility dedicated to those with physical and mental disabilities.
But instead of offering compassion and support, Fields committed an unthinkable act.
The victim had a neurological disorder
An Illinois assisted-living facility worker has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of raping and impregnating a severely disabled woman under his care.
Isaiah Fields, 23, of Batavia, worked as a caregiver at Marklund’s Hyde Center in Geneva, a facility that provides care for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. He was responsible for assisting a 43-year-old resident with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing, Daily Herald reports.
Instead of offering support, Fields committed an unimaginable violation against one of the most vulnerable individuals in his care.
The victim has Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that leaves her unable to speak, read, write, stand, or use her hands. In April 2024, she was taken to the hospital for routine tests on her liver and gallbladder.
But doctors soon made a shocking discovery — she was between 31 and 35 weeks pregnant and suffering from preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication that can lead to organ damage.
Her pregnancy went unnoticed
Because of her condition, the woman’s pregnancy went unnoticed until the emergency hospital visit.
The woman’s medical condition caused severe abdominal distension, making it nearly impossible to detect her pregnancy, her mother revealed in court.
After being delivered via emergency C-section, the baby boy was placed in neonatal intensive care, where he fought for survival for 11 weeks. Tragically, he passed away in July 2024.
Fields, who was arrested following DNA testing, pleaded guilty in January to aggravated criminal sexual assault.
Last week, he was convicted of his crimes and sentenced to 25 years behind bars. According to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, he will remain a registered sex offender for life.
Facing Kane County Judge John Barsanti, Isaiah Fields expressed remorse for his actions, addressing the victim and her family directly.
Expressed remorse and apologized
“There is no reason or set of experiences that could justify hurting anyone in any way,” Fields said, offering an apology in court.
The case has sparked outrage, raising concerns about oversight and protection in care facilities designed for society’s most vulnerable. Tragically, this was not Fields’ first act of sexual violence. In January, he admitted to criminal sexual abuse after assaulting a woman in Alabama by groping her while she slept on a couch in 2023. For that crime, he received a one-year jail sentence.
Fields faced a potential prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years.
Addressing Judge Barsanti, he acknowledged the gravity of his actions, stating, “By no means am I asking for a pass.” However, he also pointed to a past marked by trauma, drug use, and sexual abuse as possible factors that shaped his behavior.
Under the terms of his sentence, Fields must serve at least 85% of his time before becoming eligible for parole.