An attorney says a second patient at a program for Iowa’s most dangerous sex offenders is accusing its former treatment director of encouraging an improperly close relationship.
Attorney Jason Dunn says he is representing Daniel Roe, a convicted rapist who is a patient at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders in Cherokee.
He says Roe fell in love with Shannon Sanders, an unlicensed psychologist who was the program’s treatment director until September.
Roe is alleging that Sanders encouraged those feelings during treatment, including allowing him to write sexually explicit stories that featured a character based on her. Dunn says Roe feels victimized.
Dunn also represents sex offender Jeffrey Goodwin, who has alleged that he was willing to kill for Sanders. He says he intends to file suit on their behalf.
The Iowa Department of Human Services forced Sanders to resign in September after an investigation found that she violated numerous policies.
The Cherokee police department has said that it’s investigating.
Sanders has declined comment.
