THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 11, 1995 TAG: 9511110576
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
A former worker at a church nursery was jailed for violating his probation on a child molestation charge after admitting that he molested at least 14 other children.
Richard W. Weaverling, 18, pleaded guilty in March to aggravated sexual battery of a 6-year-old girl. In return for the guilty plea, charges that he molested a 2-year-old boy were dropped, and he was given a 10-year suspended sentence.
But during a court-ordered treatment, Weaverling admitted molesting at least 14 children, including all the siblings of the two children he was originally charged with abusing. He has said most of the abuse occurred in the victims' homes but also has admitted fondling children while he baby-sat them at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church.
Under further questioning, Weaverling admitted that he eventually molested every child left in his care, according to court records. The total number of children involved was unclear.
Fathy A. Abdou, a Newport News psychiatrist, testified Thursday in Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court that Weaverling had a 75 percent chance of continuing to prey on children. Abdou said that unlike most pedophiles, Weaverling showed a sadistic streak.
Abdou said castration - either chemical or surgical - was one possible treatment option he discussed with Weaverling, who rejected it.
``He found it repulsive,'' Abdou said outside the courtroom. ``I wouldn't do it to my dog, but my dog doesn't hurt anybody.''
Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Fairbanks asked Circuit Judge Samuel Powell to revoke Weaverling's probation because he had violated the conditions of the plea agreement. Those conditions included that he avoid activities involving children, cooperate with his probation officer and disclose any criminal acts involving the children of the original two families so that appropriate therapy could be sought for the victims.
Dale Jacobson, Weaverling's probation officer, testified that Weaverling and his mother had gone to an arcade. While Weaverling apparently hadn't interacted with any of the children there, Jacobson said he thought it showed poor judgment on the part of Weaverling and his mother.
Jacobson said he also discovered Weaverling still had pornographic items he claimed he had destroyed. The items included an adult magazine he kept stashed in a trash can near a baseball field where children played and a bag of magazines stored in the attic of a family home in Surry, Jacobson said.
``He's far more chronically ill than we ever imagined,'' Fairbanks said.
Defense attorney Murray Janus said his client was the victim of newspaper coverage and of parents obsessed with persecuting him.
``He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't,'' Janus said. ``If he doesn't tell the complete truth, he's being deceptive. If he does tell the complete truth, it's being used against him.''
Janus described Weaverling as a depressed, frightened, learning-disabled ``child in a man's oversized body.'' According to court records, Weaverling weighs almost 300 pounds. He urged Powell not to put ``this man-child in prison.''
Powell said what might be a minor parole violation in a burglary case was a far more serious violation in Weaverling's case.
``Does the court need to wait until another child is molested? I don't think so,'' he said. He ordered Weaverling to be held in jail while an in-depth psychiatric evaluation is done and treatment options researched. Then another hearing will be held.
The terms of Weaverling's plea agreement give him immunity from further criminal prosecution connected to any of the children in the original two cases. However, there is a continuing investigation that could result in charges in connection with other children.
KEYWORDS: SEX CRIMES CHILD MOLESTATION CHILD ABUSE SEX ABUSE
by CNB