Former DCF worker accused of raping mother of family

A former state social worker Department of Children and Family Prosecutors announced that he was accused of raping the mother of the family to which he was assigned.

Richard Magrath, 31, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape in Boston Central Municipal Court on Wednesday, court records show. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office said bail was set at $20,000.

McGrath, a DCF social worker since last year, met with the Boston woman at her home to discuss her two children with special needs earlier this month, Hayden’s office said. Magrath complimented the woman during the visit and touched her arm, making the woman uncomfortable, prosecutors said.

A few hours later, McGrath allegedly returned home.

“He entered the victim’s home, grabbed her by the arm, and said, ‘No one should know about this,’ while guiding her to the couch and exposing his genitals,” Hayden’s office said. “Magrath then raped the victim. Before leaving, he said he would see her during the next scheduled visit.”

The woman reported the assault to Boston police, and McGrath was arrested Tuesday.

Magrath was taken to the Suffolk County Jail in lieu of bail, according to court records. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.

If he sets bail, the judge ordered Magrath to have no contact with the victim, her family and all former DCF clients, according to prosecutors. He was ordered to remain in Massachusetts under GPS monitoring and away from the victim’s address.

He is scheduled to return to court late next month for a probable cause hearing.

“It goes without saying that this set of facts represents an extraordinary abuse of power and access,” Hayden said. “In addition to harming the victim, this man harmed many DCF workers who provide essential services day in and day out to people across Massachusetts.”

DCF did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.