Ex-nurse's assistant pleads not guilty in sexual assault of teen patient at Arkansas center

William Deupree, 57, of Prairie Grove
William Deupree, 57, of Prairie Grove

A former nurse’s assistant at a Northwest Arkansas adult care center has pleaded not guilty in the sexual assault of a teen patient, records show.

William Deupree, 57, of Prairie Grove entered the plea Nov. 3 on a charge of second-degree sexual assault, according to filings in Washington County Circuit Court.

Deupree was arrested in September after being found by a co-worker at the Elizabeth Richardson Center in Springdale with his pants pulled down in the same room as a mentally and physically disabled patient, police said.

Authorities noted that the 18-year-old female patient also did not have pants on and was lying in her bed.

Records show Deupree was released earlier this month from the Washington County jail on $5,000 bond.

Deupree’s trial is set for Dec. 22. He has been ordered to have no contact with the reported victim.

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