Man Beat, Sexually Assaulted Wife With Dementia: Police

An elderly Derwood man reportedly beat, choked and burned the genitals of his frail wife, who suffers from dementia, authorities say.

George Thomas Kephart, 78, of Derwood was charged Aug. 17 with first-degree sex offense, first-degree assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult, according to Maryland online court records.

Charging documents say Kephart accused his 78-year-old wife of having an affair 50 years ago. When she reportedly confessed, her husband attacked her, using a hot curling iron to assault the woman, WJLA reports. A part-time home caretaker noticed bruises to the victim’s head, neck, back, arms and legs a few days later and the couple’s son, who then contacted police.

When the victim was treated at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, a sexual assault exam showed internal injuries from being sexually violated with the curling iron.

Police said in court documents that the victim is afraid of Kephart because he routinely hits and burns her.

The Montgomery County Public Schools website lists George Kephart as an attendant for a special education bus.

He is scheduled to appear in Montgomery County District Court Sept. 11 for a preliminary hearing.