Apr 4, 2016 2 min read

A Bentleyville woman was arraigned Thursday on charges of indecent assault and institutional sexual assault for allegedly having inappropriate contact while working as a caregiver for a developmentally delayed man at a Canton Township home last summer.

Nikki L. Meglis, 48, of 205 First St., is accused of inappropriately touching the 20-year-old man on three occasions, according to court records filed by state police at the office of District Judge David Mark.

Trooper Douglas Rush, who filed the charges, said the victim told other caregivers about what happened. Police were then contacted July 8 by Pathways of SWPA about the alleged sexual assault involving one of their employees, identified as Meglis, and a resident of the home. Meglis had been employed at the time by Pathways as a residential program specialist where the man lived, police said.

The alleged victim has a diagnosis of autism spectrum and anxiety disorders.

The man told police about a week before the Fourth of July, Meglis was working at his house.

The two were sitting on the couch watching television when she allegedly touched him. On July 4, Meglis was driving them to Pittsburgh to see fireworks when she allegedly touched him again.

He told police she removed her hand when he called for another member of his care team. She also allegedly touched him later that night when they returned to the Canton residence.

Meglis allegedly told him not to tell anyone or she would get in trouble.

Meglis is free on $50,000 unsecured bond set by Mark. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 11.