Occupational therapist had kids undress and touched them during sessions, NM cops say
An occupational therapist was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting three kids during in-home appointments, New Mexico officials said.
On May 3, Clovis officers got reports of sexual abuse by the parents and guardians of kids who were “patients” of Jared Cordum, according to a July 9 news release by the New Mexico Department of Justice.
One report came from an elementary school after a child’s foster parent said during an in-home visit, Cordum “inserted something into” the child’s “rectum,” officials said.
Other reports from parents and guardians said Cordum’s home visits were “odd” and “uncomfortable,” prosecutors said.
“When we got into the details, it was fairly shocking and obvious to us that this individual had taken advantage of his position in that community as a medical professional,” New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez told KRQE.
Referrals were made for Cordum by day care centers and pediatricians but one pediatrician said they never received any of Cordum’s evaluations and didn’t think he was fit to conduct ultrasounds because he’s an occupational therapist, officials said.
Cordum would have the kids take their bathing suits off during shower routines and touch them, administer suppositories and use devices to diagnose bowel issues, officials said.
According to officials, he was arrested and charged with:
- criminal sexual penetration of a minor
- five counts of criminal sexual contact
- battery
- four counts of practicing without a license
Officials believe there are more victims.
McClatchy News reached out to the department of justice for more information on July 10 and was awaiting a response.
Cordum was booked into the Curry County Detention Center, officials said.
Clovis is about a 220-mile drive southeast from Albuquerque.
This story was originally published July 10, 2024 at 11:25 AM with the headline "Occupational therapist had kids undress and touched them during sessions, NM cops say."