Florida Assisted Living Facility Nurse Arrested for Sexual Battery of an Elderly Male Resident
After receiving a complaint of sexual battery, local police in a Florida community arrested a nurse for sexually molesting an elderly man in the assisted living center where the nurse worked.
An investigation by police into the complaint revealed the suspect nurse was found in the resident’s bathroom getting dressed after being missing for over one and one-half hours, which caused the staff to go looking for her.
The elderly resident, who suffers from numerous medical conditions, told the police when questioned that the nurse had sexually molested him. He also indicated to the staff, who questioned him before the complaint was sent to the police, that he had not wanted sexual contact with the nurse.
The accused nurse was questioned, and she denied ever being in the room with the resident.
The resident was taken to the hospital where a sexual assault kit was completed. The results of the sexual assault kit later revealed DNA evidence and confirmed the resident’s claim.
The arrested nurse was charged with Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of an Elderly Person and Abuse of an Elderly Person.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to protect residents from sexual battery by a staff member or any other person may be considered a violation of residents’ rights to be free from abuse, and provision of substandard quality of care.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures addressing the development and implementation of protocols for prevention of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and provision of a safe environment.
- Train staff about residents’ rights, with an emphasis on prevention of abuse and neglect, and their responsibility to immediately report to their supervisor or via the Hotline any suspicious behavior by staff or anyone toward residents.
- Periodically conduct an audit by interviewing residents who are cognitively alert to determine if they have experienced any inappropriate behavior from anyone, or if they have observed inappropriate behavior toward another resident.
