People like to have sex, and when they become senior citizens it does not mean that this desire stops. Former Iowa State legislator Henry Rayhons, 78, is now facing trial over this issue for having sex with his wife in a nursing home. The problem is that his wife, Donna Lou Rayhons, 78, suffered from severe Alzheimer’s and perhaps was unable to consent to sex.
According to media and court records, the Rayhons were known to be a loving couple but her cognitive ability had declined to a point where she could not remember how to eat a hamburger. The nursing home identified as the Concord Care Center, felt that a care plan had to be created and as part of the plan she would not be able to take outside trips with her husband like in the past. By all accounts, Mrs. Rayhons could still remember her husband and would show affection. Nursing home social worker Michelle Dornbier was alerted to the fact that the Rayhons were having sex by a family member and asked her attending doctor, “Given Donna’s cognitive state, do you feel she is able to give consent for any sexual activity?” to which the doctor responded “No.”
Soon Mrs. Rayhons was moved from her single room to a double room and now had a roommate. According to records, the roommate stated that last May, Mr. Rayhons came to the room, pulled across the privacy screen and reportedly had sex with his wife again. Surveillance camera footage showed Mr. Rayhons dropping her panties in a laundry bin outside her room.
The Rayhons were married in 2007 and had adult children from previous marriages. One of Mrs. Rayhons’ daughters objected to her mother continuing to have sex with her elderly stepfather. After the sexual encounter in May 2014, a rape kit was done on Mrs. Rayhons and investigators found Mr. Rayhons’ DNA was on sheets, a quilt, and Mrs. Rayhons’ panties.
Donna Lou Rayhons died last year and now Henry Rayhons is on trial for third-degree sexual assault.
