23-year-old Isaiah Fields, the caretaker at the Marklund Hyde Center, was given 25 years of imprisonment after sexually abusing and impregnating the severely handicapped woman in his care. The abuse from August 1 to September 5, 2023, revealed the vulnerability of residents of care institutions and created outrage at the breach of trust on the part of the person responsible.
Contracted to take care of residents with extreme developmental disabilities, Fields used his role to abuse his power most horribly. His victim is a 43-year-old woman who suffers from Rett Syndrome, a sporadic genetic disorder that leaves her speechless, immobile, and even incapable of self-care. The severity of the condition left her entirely dependent on workers like Fields, making his abuse even more egregious.
The horror was revealed in April 2024 when the victim visited the hospital to undergo routine tests on her gallbladder and liver. Hospital officials made the stunning discovery that she was 31 to 35 weeks pregnant. This caused the Kane County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Department of Public Health to launch an investigation immediately. Three male workers who came into contact with the victim during the assault were taken in for DNA testing. The tests pointed unmistakably to Fields as the father.
On May 14, 2024, the victim gave birth via C-section at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. Tragically, the newborn, named R.J., died just hours later, compounding the sorrow of an already heart-wrenching situation.
Fields immediately encountered legal consequences. He was arrested and charged with multiple felonies on three charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault, one charge of criminal sexual assault, and two charges of aggravated battery. He was indicted in July 2024 by a Kane County grand jury and held in custody without bond. Fields pleaded guilty on January 14, 2025, to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault with physical injury. The plea, which is called a “cold plea,” consisted of admitting to guilt but not accepting a negotiated sentence. The charge could lead to six to 30 years in prison.
Judge Barsanti sentenced Fields to 25 years on March 14, 2025. Fields pleaded guilty to criminal sexual abuse in 2023 in Aurora when he inappropriately touched a woman while she was sleeping. He received a concurrent sentence of one year on that charge.
The woman, who resided at the Marklund Hyde Center in her 20s, experienced severe physical and emotional trauma from the assault. Her family grappled with the trauma that had been done to her as they witnessed Fields apologize during sentencing, but it provided little comfort given the brutality of his actions.
The Marklund Hyde Center, a non-profit dedicated to caring for individuals with severe disabilities, responded with a statement from CEO Gil Fonger:
“We are satisfied to see justice served and believe that we can all have a measure of closure to this evil act at long last.”
The facility fully cooperated with authorities and placed three staff members, including Fields, on leave during the investigation.
This tragic event has raised issues of safety and supervision in care centers. The 70-year history of the Marklund Hyde Center regarding hiring and supervision is now questioned. Activists feel that this accident underscores the need for more stringent background checks, staff training, and protective policies for at-risk residents.
Levin & Perconti, which is known to represent victims of abuse in care facilities, has publicly sided with the victim and her family. No civil lawsuit has been issued, but the firm has stated it is ready to pursue further justice if necessary.
