AP Exclusive: Therapist broke rules with Iowa sex predator

RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A psychologist in charge of treating Iowa's most dangerous sex offenders violated policies by developing an improperly close relationship with a violent predator who became obsessed with her, The Associated Press has learned. Shannon Smith Sanders, who directed the treatment program at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders in Cherokee, committed boundary violations and did special favors for the patient, according to a Sept. 16 termination letter obtained under Iowa's open records law. Sanders shared secrets with the patient, did not apply the institution's rules to him and lied to protect him, the letter said. She also failed to report that the patient was having personal feelings for her. Those actions created potential