Nash case worker charged with assault on woman

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A 50-year-old Whitakers woman says a Nash County Department of Social Services case worker sexually assaulted her in his office last week.

The woman, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said she was trying to have her food stamp benefits extended Friday afternoon when her case worker, Cecil Anthony, grabbed her behind and forced his tongue in her mouth.

Nash County deputies served Anthony, 55, on Monday with a criminal summons for assault on a female and gave him a Dec. 3 court date. Based on the allegations, though, authorities said Thursday the charge handed down by the magistrate probably should have been sexual battery.

Nash County Department of Social Services Director Melvia Batts would not comment on the allegations when reached at her office Thursday evening, citing personnel laws. Anthony’s employment status with the county is unknown.

“You should be able to go to Social Services and get what you need without having to deal with stuff like this,” the woman said, weeping as she recalled the altercation. “The way he did that and the way he came on to me made me think this might be a normal thing he does to women.”

The woman said she was meeting with Anthony at his Nashville office to discuss her options when she became emotional about her struggles. Anthony allegedly embraced the woman to comfort her, she said, and after a while she pushed away.

The woman said Anthony stood up, closed the door, grabbed her buttocks and pulled her close to him.

“At this point, I was trying to pull away from him and screaming, 'No, no. You shouldn’t be doing this Mr. Anthony,’” the woman said. “Then he grabbed my neck and shoved his tongue in my mouth.”

When serving a criminal summons issued by a magistrate, authorities do not arrest suspects, deputies said. The woman said she’s staying in a hotel, fearful the case worker might come for her at her home.

“I don’t know what’s going through his mind,” she said. “But I want to put the call out there. I want to know how many other women this might have happened to, and if there are, I want them to step up to the plate and speak out.”

The victim said she met with Social Services officials early this week, and they instructed her to file charges against Anthony.