Trial begins for man charged with abusing girl with disabilities

A Carol Stream man already imprisoned for possessing child pornography went on trial Tuesday on charges he sexually assaulted and abused a girl with disabilities.

Adan Rodriguez-Ocampo faces a minimum of 51 additional years in prison if convicted of all counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to DuPage County Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Lindt.

The prosecution had offered less time in exchange for a plea of guilty, but Rodriguez-Ocampo rejected the offer Tuesday morning, said DuPage Assistant Public Defender Michael Sweeney.

Rodriguez-Ocampo knew the victim, who is now 20. Lindt said the girl has spina bifida that caused permanent physical problems, including incontinence and issues with her legs and feet; she wears braces to help her walk. She also has a speech impairment and an intellectual disability as a result of damage done by the spina bifida and is in special education classes to learn skills to live independently.

Four of the sexual assault counts are aggravated because of her disabilities.

The girl's father testified that he told Rodriguez-Ocampo shortly after the girl's birth in 1999, in their hometown in Mexico, that the girl had spina bifida. The father moved to the United States to make more money to pay for her care, he said. His wife and children followed later.

Rodriguez-Ocampo moved in with them in 2007, the father testified, then later moved to an apartment next to theirs. The father said Rodriguez-Ocampo was asked to help take care of the girl after school.

Prosecutors allege the assaults started in 2009. The girl's mother discovered improper photos on the girl's cellphone when she asked her mother if she recognized the name of someone on Facebook, Lindt said. The man was Rodriguez-Ocampo, she said, and he had requested the photos. They communicated via Facebook Messenger.

The father testified that after his wife showed him the photos, he asked Rodriguez-Ocampo to go back to Mexico and offered to pay the way. He decided to call police after Rodriguez-Ocampo refused.

The girl also testified, too. She said some of the assaults took place in the apartment building's laundry room.

The trial will continue Wednesday afternoon.