(8 Sep 2014) The sexual abuse started early for Rhonda Bailey, her father constantly visiting her bedroom when she was as young as 5. She gave birth to her first child at age 14, unsure whether the father was her dad or her brother, court documents say.
As an adult, Bailey became the abuser and raped two pre-teen boys. That crime and her sexual attraction to kids got her committed more than 20 years ago. Since 2008, she's been the only woman in Minnesota's sex offender treatment program _ a situation that experts called shocking. The state is now struggling to find another location for Bailey, who experts acknowledged is at high risk for future sexual misconduct.
Female sex offenders are rare, and those who are committed are rarer still. Research shows they also respond to treatment differently than men. According to court documents, the experts say Bailey's current housing and treatment situation is unprecedented in contemporary sex offender treatment, especially when it comes to commitment of sex offenders.
The Minnesota Sex Offender Program, which houses nearly 700 of the state's most dangerous sex offenders, is facing a legal challenge. Residents claim it's unconstitutional because it effectively amounts to a life sentence. Bailey's attorneys say she's an example of a resident who doesn't belong there.
For now, Bailey said she's stopped attending group sessions and does individual work, including art therapy. She showed an AP reporter a crayon drawing, in which two hearts, one broken, were surrounded by bricks. She also drew windows and a door with five locks _ so no one can get in. She described it as her "safe place."
"Since I've been locked up in treatment, I know now if I did do it, it would be against the law, against the rules," she said.
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