Caregiver Accused Of Sexually Abusing Disabled Patient: Police

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A Rohnert Park man who has been operating an in-home care facility for mentally disabled children and adults for 30 years was arrested this week on suspicion of continuous sexual abuse of a child, sodomy, cruelty to a child with possible injuries, and possession of child pornography, Rohnert Park police officials said Thursday.

Keith Marcum, 68, a psychologist certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, was arrested Monday, April 29 and booked into Sonoma County jail in lieu of $765,000 bail, according to a news release Thursday from Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

The investigation of Marcum began when a disabled victim and past resident of Marcum’s care facility at 7210 Brenda Way in Rohnert Park came forward and revealed continuous sexual and physical abuse that started approximately 10 years ago, Johnson said.

Detectives proceeded to secure a search warrant for Marcum's home near Southwest Boulevard and Seed Farm Drive.

"During the search investigators found over 600 images of child pornography," Johnson said.

No patients were at Marcum's home when the warrant was served Monday, Johnson said.

Detectives called family members of the three residents who currently live with Marcum and advised them of the investigation and assisted with getting them out of the house, according to Rohnert Park police.

"It is unknown at this stage of the investigation if any of the residents have been victimized by Marcum," Johnson said. "Further specialized interviews will take place as the case develops."

The deputy chief said Rohnert Park detectives are already looking into additional allegations from two other victims who came forward shortly after Marcum's arrest and described being sexually abused by Marcum from the age of 6 to 14 years old.

According to police, the arrest charges against Marcum included: continuous sexual assault of a child, sodomy with person under 18, sodomy with person under 16, sodomy with person with force or injury, sodomy with a person unable to give consent, cruelty to a child with possible injury and possession of obscene material of minor in sexual acts.

Marcum remained behind bars Thursday pending a court appearance set for Monday, May 6, according to Sonoma County jail records.

"We believe there could be more victims; therefore, if you have any information or are a victim of Keith Marcum please contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Investigations unit at 584-2630," Johnson said.