Whatcom County caretaker convicted of raping disabled adult sentenced to life in custody
A former Holly Community Services staff member who raped a developmentally disabled resident in his care was sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court on Wednesday to a minimum of 80 months in prison followed by a lifetime in community custody.
Ferndale resident Nathaniel Matthew Miller, 47, pleaded guilty to second-degree rape in September, one year after he was charged. According to court records, Miller was a caretaker at a Bellingham home that housed four disabled adults who required 24/7 care.
One of the residents reported seeing Miller rape her roommate in the living room of the home in July 2023. The victim told Bellingham police that she tried to move out from underneath Miller’s body while he assaulted her on the couch, but was unable to.
“I feel ashamed that my body was not respected,” the victim wrote in a statement read at Miller’s sentencing. “I feel angry. I don’t know if I will ever sleep easily again.”
The Washington State Department of Health issued an emergency suspension of Miller’s nursing license following his arrest, and in January 2024, decided to suspend his license for at least a decade, according to a state health department email and documents.
“Someone’s trust and safety was colossally abused,” Whatcom County prosecuting attorney Gordon Jenkins said.
Miller’s defense attorney, Mark Kaiman, told the judge Wednesday that Miller was “very remorseful” for his actions. He said that loneliness can drive people like Miller to “do very bad things,” and said Miller has the ability to learn from his actions and go through treatment.
Miller apologized to the judge and the victim, saying he was “very, very sorry.”
Judge Robert Olson, like Kaiman, acknowledged that Miller took immediate responsibility for his actions. By avoiding taking the case to trial, Olson said Miller prevented the victim and jurors from having to endure testimony.
At the same time, Olson said that the trust everyone should have for someone in Miller’s position was “absolutely violated.”
“This is one of the most egregious sexual assaults I’ve ever encountered during my time on the bench,” Olson said.
Olson’s sentencing was in line with the state’s recommendations. He also ordered a sexual assault protection order for the victim which, due to his sentencing to a lifetime in community custody, will last indefinitely.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM.