GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — A former Baptist missionary doctor accused of molesting nearly two dozen girls and women in Bangladesh, along with a girl in West Michigan, won't face trial.
An Ottawa County judge dismissed the local case against Dr. Donn Ketcham, ruling he is incompetent to help in his own defense because he suffers from dementia.
Ketcham, 87, who also suffers from Parkinson's disease, was never charged over the allegations in Bangladesh from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, in part because his missionary group covered up the alleged crimes.
Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Jon Hulsing cited Ketcham's age, the fact he suffers from Parkinson's disease, and Ketcham's failing memory for his decision.
He is "unable to recall his attorney's name, is unable to identify his medications, is unable to identify the date, has gotten lost when walking, obsesses over certain issues, forgets significant events, and becomes agitated," the judge wrote in his opinion.
A state psychologist testified on July 20 that Ketcham was competent to stand trial.
However, the judge wrote that, "The state's evaluator does not challenge the defense expert's conclusion which deems defendant incompetent to stand trial."
The judge also ruled that based on Ketcham's diagnosis, his mental abilities will continue to worsen.
"Accordingly, there is NOT a substantial probability that, if provided a course of treatment, defendant will attain competence within 15 months," the judge wrote.
"There is no indication that defendant is malingering or in any way feigning incompetency," the ruling also stated.