By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
Khalil Joseph, 22, of 91st Ave. in Fresh Meadows, has been charged with first-degree rape, endangering the welfare of a child and a criminal sex act, according to police. He is being held on $150,000 bail and is due back in court on March 21, the DA said.According to the criminal complaint filed by the district attorney's office, Joseph told detectives he took the girl to a back bathroom March 8 at Eihab Human Services on 96th Avenue in Queens Village where he undressed the youth and proceeded to rape her. Joseph also told police the act was interrupted when he heard someone approaching the room, then dressed himself and left, according to the DA.A source close to the investigation said Joseph was a student supervisor of the girl as well as being under the care of Eihab himself..Jane Merolla, a spokeswoman for Eihab, said both the girl, who was not named because of her age, and Joseph were “developmentally disabled” and under the care of the facility. But she denied the girl was under the supervision of Joseph. Merolla said she could not make further comments on whether patients under the facility's care can be supervisors or not.Scott Dufault, the lawyer representing Joseph, refused comment on the case.A spokesman for the 105th Precinct said there was nothing in the report that suggested Joseph was mentally challenged, but he did say that kind of information would be included in a follow-up investigation conducted by the Special Victims Unit. A detective with the Special Victims Unit refused comment.The incident took place around 4 p.m. and Joseph was arrested the following day after the mother of the victim was informed by her daughter of what occurred, according to the DA.Eihab Human Services is part of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and offers both residential and day programs as well as family support and case management services, according to the state's Web site.Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 173.
