Psychologist in Sexual Abuse Case

From the Brattleboro Reformer

Donald Sanborn III, 65, of Bellows Falls, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he sexually abused a patient.

Sanborn, a psychologist, has been accused by a patient of doing "naughty things" with her during her sessions for approximately three to four months, according to an affidavit from Bellows Falls Police Officer Jennifer Carroll.

When Carroll spoke to the alleged victim, she writes in the affidavit, the woman seemed "very frightened and closed off" and "asked me several times if I was her friend and asked if I worked for Dr. Sanborn."

The alleged victim's husband told Carroll he used to attend the sessions with his wife. The woman stated that Sanborn had been helpful in the past and referred to him as "Lancelot."

About six or seven months before the sessions stopped, however, the alleged victim's husband states that Sanborn suggested private sessions.

He said that his wife sometimes resorted to the mentality of a 5-year-old when she was uncomfortable and he often observed her in this state after she left her sessions, Carroll reported.

The woman told Carroll that Sanborn had frequently wanted to talk about sex with her and convinced her to participate in sexual activities with him, although she had told him she did not want to.

He allegedly also told her not to tell anyone. She told Carroll that "she was afraid Sanborn would come to her house and get her if she told anyone."

Sanborn was arrested over the weekend after a DNA test was done on a pair of the woman's socks. Carroll reports, "I received a laboratory report stating that the primary reportable types of sperm portions from some of the submissions of the socks matched those obtained from the standard from Donald Sanborn III."

According to a report from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, though, "the secondary types are too limited to support meaningful conclusions."

Sanborn was released on conditions Monday that he not contact the victim or her husband and that he not see any female or "younger" patients until the case is closed.

If found guilty, Sanborn could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,300, or both.