In Two Separate Nursing Home Abuse Cases, Two Nursing Home Workers Accused of Sexually Assaulting Residents
A nursing home aide is accused of sexually, physically, and emotionally abusing six elderly residents. The abuse incidents reportedly occurred over a six-month period. Another nursing home assistant reportedly witnessed the incidents but did not report the abuse until July.
The Health Department report says the aide, who is female, put her finger in the cancerous vulva of a resident, dropped another resident four feet onto her bed, and threw stuffed toys that another resident thought of as her children onto the ground. She also is accused of showing her breasts to at least one male resident and giving two residents lap dances.
The female aide denies doing anything wrong. Because there aren’t enough witnesses and insufficient evidence, police are unlikely to file criminal charges. Nearly all of the victims were patients with dementia. One of the residents who is able to talk about the abuse is reluctant to discuss the case with police.
In another nursing home abuse case, 35-year-old Alejandro Arias has been charged with felony sexual battery. The nursing home worker was fired from Anaheim Terrace Care Center and is in police custody.
Arias is accused of sexually assaulting at least two elderly women when they were staying at the nursing home. He allegedly sexually assaulted an 84-year-old resident twice and forced her to fondle him. Police are checking to see whether there may be more victims.
Nursing homes are supposed to make sure that residents are given the proper care and are protected from becoming the victims of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, nursing home neglect, or any other crimes. Many nursing home residents are too sick, vulnerable, or frail to protect themselves from abusive acts, which unfortunately makes them easy targets of abusive workers and others.
Nursing assistant arrested for assault, ABC 7, December 9, 2008
At Montevideo nursing home, reports of abuse, Star Tribune, December 11, 2008
Related Web Resources:
Elderly Often Unrecognized Victims of Sexual Abuse, Senior Journal, November 9, 2004
Elder Abuse, Helpguide.org
Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, PC would like to explore your legal options with you.
