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Family of Florida woman impregnated by caregiver seeks justice

Posted at 9:37 PM, Feb 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-12 04:36:24-05

SEBASTIAN, Fla. — The family of a woman who police say was impregnated by a caregiver at a group home, spoke out on Monday in their hometown of Sebastian.

“My feelings are of pain and a lot of hurt,” said Robert Blanchard, the father of the 43-year-old Dawn Blanchard, whose mental capacity is severely limited, the result of a childhood illness.

Last week police arrested Willie Shorter after DNA tests they say linked him to being the father of Blanchard’s child.

Robert Blanchard says his family is now caring for the 4-year-old boy and raising him.

“We love him, he's such an innocent person,” Blanchard says.

The family attorney, Kevin Smith, says he's planning civil lawsuits this week.

David Cooke, the CEO of the non profit that runs the group home in Rockledge, Florida, wouldn’t comment on the coming lawsuits, only saying this is a, “sad story for everyone."