Man pleads not guilty in case of sexual abuse of disabled girl

Cory Alvarez, 26, is accused of raping a 15-year-old disabled girl at a state-run home in Rockland. (Police photo)

An immigrant accused of raping a disabled girl in a Massachusetts home has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Cory Alvarez, 26, is accused of raping a 15-year-old disabled girl at a state-run home in Rockland.

Alvarez, a Haitian national, was charged with aggravated rape of a child with an age difference of 10 years and child molestation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday.

The case of the rape of migrant children sparked a congressional investigation and led to further Republican criticism of the shelter system in Massachusetts.

Rockland police responded to a report of a sexual assault on March 13 at the Comfort Inn on Hingham Street. The Comfort Inn is part of a state program to house immigrant families, and Alvarez was staying there.

Upon arrival, police officers encountered the 15-year-old alleged victim, who was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment.

During their investigation, Rockland Police identified Alvarez as a suspect and arrested him.

Alvarez, who entered the U.S. legally through a federal program and underwent two state sex offender background checks, was declared dangerous in March and remains incarcerated without bail.