Farmer accused of raping autistic woman

PERU, Ind. — A northern Indiana man faces rape and sexual battery charges for allegedly attacking an autistic woman assigned to work on his farm by a group that finds jobs for people with disabilities.

The Peru Tribune reports 40-year-old Candler D. Henderson appeared in court Wednesday for an initial hearing.

A Miami County judge approved an order barring Henderson from contacting the woman and her mother.

State police say the 21-year-old woman told officers Henderson raped her Feb. 11 in a home at his farm in Peru, about 80 miles north of Indianapolis.

Police says Henderson owned the farm the woman was assigned to work at by a Logansport-based agency that finds work for disabled clients.

It wasn’t clear whether Henderson has an attorney who could comment on his case.