LIBERTY — A Casey County man accused of raping an intellectually disabled woman who is a resident of the Galilean Children’s Home had his case waived to the grand jury Thursday during a preliminary hearing, but additional charges could be coming.
Michael Burt, 62, of Liberty faces 10 counts of first degree rape of someone incapable of consent who is physically helpless and 20 counts of first degree sodomy of someone incapable of consent who is physically helpless with serious physical injury. The crimes allegedly took place between June 2011 and May 2012.
Burt has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Casey County Attorney Thomas Weddle Jr. said Friday the State Police investigation was not finished and he anticipates more charges will be filed. He declined to comment on whether additional victims had come forward.
“It would be premature at this point to discuss what any further charges may be because the investigation has not been completed,” Weddle said.
The Casey grand jury is scheduled to meet Friday, June 22, but Weddle said he was not sure whether the case could be accommodated in that day’s schedule, or if all the charges would be heard during the same session.
Galilean Home founder and director Jerry Tucker told the Advocate-Messenger the victim was one of his adopted daughters who is now in her mid-30s but has an intellectual capacity similar to a 7-year-old. Burt worked at the Galilean Home for over two decades until Tucker said he had to fire him in May for making inappropriate comments to female residents of the home.
The alleged victim told State Police, who were following up on a complaint to the Green County Department of Social Services, she had engaged in sexual acts with Burt on multiple occasions. Burt told police the acts were consensual, according to the police report.
Tucker said Burt and his family lived on the grounds of the Galilean Home for many years. Burt's wife and one of his sons are still employed at the Galilean Home, Tucker said.
Burt is being held at the Casey County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond.
