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Westfield Today
By the People, for the People
Caregiver Charged with Sexually Abusing Wheelchair-Bound Woman in His Care
Michael W. Smith accused of using a "vape-style device" to sexually assault the incapacitated victim
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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A 41-year-old caregiver named Michael W. Smith has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact for allegedly sexually abusing a wheelchair-bound woman in his care. The victim contacted police after receiving videos on the TeleGuard app that showed Smith sexually assaulting her with a "vape-style device" while she was incapacitated at a Ramada Inn hotel between December 2023 and June 2024.
Why it matters
This case highlights the vulnerability of disabled individuals who rely on caregivers, as well as the potential for abuse of power and trust in such relationships. It also raises concerns about the use of technology to record and distribute non-consensual sexual content.
The details
According to reports, Smith brought the wheelchair-bound victim to a Ramada Inn hotel on multiple occasions and sexually assaulted her while she was incapacitated. He allegedly sodomized the victim with a "vape-style device" and committed other forced sexual acts.
- The alleged incidents occurred between December 2023 and June 2024.
- The victim contacted police on January 18, 2026.
- Smith was arrested on January 29, 2026.
The players
Michael W. Smith
A 41-year-old caregiver accused of sexually abusing a wheelchair-bound woman in his care.
The victim
A wheelchair-bound woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her caregiver, Michael W. Smith.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Michael W. Smith out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the vulnerability of disabled individuals who rely on caregivers, as well as the potential for abuse of power and trust in such relationships. It also raises concerns about the use of technology to record and distribute non-consensual sexual content.
