[A]n ex-mental health worker at the Brattleboro Retreat will serve four to 15 years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old patient at the facility.
Robert Havens, 49, was sentenced last month in Windham County criminal court in Brattleboro.
The sentencing followed a hearing in September in which Havens pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault on a victim under the age of 16, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, and obstructing justice.
Other charges against him were dismissed as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Windham County Deputy State’s Attorney David Gartenstein said Wednesday that he told the court during the sentencing hearing that the plea agreement was “fully supported” by the victim and her family.
“One of the primary objectives of resolving the case in this manner was to protect the victim from having to participate in additional court proceedings,” the prosecutor said.
Gartenstein said he told Judge John Treadwell at the hearing that Havens’ conduct represented “a substantial breach of trust” and an abuse of his position of authority.
“The child who was a victim in the case,” the prosecutor added, “was particularly vulnerable given that she was in the Retreat for treatment and a mental health worker and an adult, rather than providing the treatment that was necessary, engaged in sexual contact with her.”
Havens started a sexual relationship with the girl in March 2017 when she was a patient at the Retreat and continued after her release from the facility, according to an affidavit filed in the case by Brattleboro Police Detective Erik Johnson.
The detective also wrote that the girl told him that Havens had driven her, following her discharge from the Retreat, to his apartment in Brattleboro for overnight stays, telling the girl’s mother that he was father of one of the teen’s friends.
The Keene Sentinel reported that a letter from the girl was read in court during Havens ‘ sentencing hearing.
“Please think of me when you sentence this person,” the newspaper reported that the teenager asked the judge in her letter. “Why should he be free when I am not?”
Konstantin von Krusenstiern, the Retreat’s vice president for development and communications, said in a statement Wednesday that Havens was suspended when the allegations against him were raised, and he was then terminated.
“The Retreat cooperated with authorities, and conducted our own investigation,” the statement added. “We have since enhanced our sexual harassment policy and provided additional staff training on sexual harassment. We also enhanced education related to our Interpersonal Boundaries policy.”
The statement added, “Our focus is on preventing something like this from happening again. Our number one priority is ensuring that our campus is safe for all.”
Havens will need to complete a treatment program prior to his release. Also, Havens will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Attorney Bettina Buehler, who represented Havens, could not immediately be reached Wednesday for comment.
VTDigger reporter Kevin O’Connor contributed to this report.
