A New Orleans man accused of faking a disability to trick women into babysitting him and changing his diapers has been sentenced to five years of probation, according to court records.
Rutledge Deas IV pleaded guilty Monday to four counts of human trafficking, possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported.
The human trafficking charge can include obtaining a person’s services through fraud, the news outlet said.
Louisiana State Police arrested Deas in 2019 after discovering he had posed on babysitting apps pretending to be a relative of a man named “Cory” who had mental and physical disabilities, the agency said. Deas hired women, including a 20-year-old college student, to take care of “Cory,” who was actually him.
The online post said to treat the man as if he were a child, including changing his diapers, among other requests.
Deas’ lawyers alleged the defendant suffered from mental health and substance abuse problems and said Deas described his actions as a response to severe childhood trauma.
Ad Hoc Criminal District Court Judge Hunter Harris ordered Deas to maintain employment, undergo internet addiction counseling, stay off social media and complete 400 hours of community service.
The Associated Press contributed to this article