Another family has come forward after a Cleveland school security guard was accused of raping several students, saying they reported him five years ago.
Derrick Dugger was indicted Monday on charges of rape, sexual battery, and importuning. He is currently being held on a warrant on indictment and his bond will be re-set at his scheduled arraignment on Dec. 5.
Dugger worked as a Cleveland Metropolitan School District security guard for less than a year, hired in December 2017. Before that, his personnel file states he was employed as a security guard for a private company.
Before that, Dugger worked for The HELP Foundation, a nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities. His resume, obtained by News 5, lists duties including “provide a safe and caring environment for clients” and “assist with activities of daily living (grooming, bathing, and dressing.”
Dugger worked for The HELP Foundation as a direct care worker and housekeeper from 2009 to 2014, leaving on good terms, according to the organization’s CEO.
Dugger spent time working a group home of six residents in Cleveland Heights. That’s where he worked the overnight shift with Brian Wozny’s son, who is autistic and nonverbal and was living at the group home.
"He told me that Derrick had something sexual to him and I said 'Brian, no, he’s your favorite person -- what could he have done?'" Wozny said. "And then my son pantomimed something that was absolutely unbelievable, I just can’t describe it."
Wozny said he reported that his son was sexually assaulted in January of 2013, filing reports with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and The HELP Foundation, who in turn filed reports with Cleveland Heights Police.
An investigation lasted until March of 2013, when it was determined that the allegation could not be substantiated.
“I don’t think they looked hard enough, I really don’t,” Wozny said.
At the time, Wozny said he does not believe they specified Dugger was the one behind the alleged assault because he did not want to accuse someone falsely. He said he had hoped that the investigation would determine that.
“I wish I would’ve jumped up and down and more strongly — accused the individual that was named,” Wozny said. Last week, after news of Dugger’s recent charges broke, Wozny filed a report with the Cleveland Heights Police Department. He said he hopes sharing his story will help his family get closure and learn what truly happened.
Wozny said he does not blame the HELP Foundation and believes they were just as much a victim as his son was.
The HELP Foundation sent News 5 the following statement:
Derrick Dugger was employed by HELP Foundation from 8-4-2009 to 4-11-2014. In January of 2013 an allegation was made of the possible sexual abuse of one of our consumers in the home in which Mr. Dugger worked. To our knowledge Mr. Dugger was not named in this allegation. Reports were immediately filed with the local police and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. An investigation conducted by the County Board, which included a physician’s exam of the consumer, found that the allegation of abuse was unsubstantiated.
HELP Foundation places the safety and wellbeing of our consumers above all other considerations.We work with the families of our consumers to insure that their loved ones are safe, supported, and properly cared for at all times.
News 5 previously reported that an autistic 15-year-old filed a report with CMSD in September regarding inappropriate comments made to her by Dugger.
Detectives with the Cleveland Police sex crimes unit are continuing their investigation. They believe there are at least three victims and could be more.
