Indiana Nursing Home Worker Charged with Attempted Rape of Dementia Patient
The employee at Indiana’s RiverOaks Health Campus barricaded the door to the room where he had led his elderly victim and was discovered in a state of undress, say investigators of the shocking event of nursing home malpractice.
A male employee of an Indiana nursing home has been accused of attempted rape of a nearly 90-year-old resident with dementia, says a Newsweek article.
Jeffrey Harvey, a floor technician at RiverOaks Health Campus in Indiana’s Gibson County, has been charged with one felony count of attempted rape of a mentally disabled person after Princeton Police Department investigators responded to a report by facility staff members about the January 22 incident of nursing home malpractice.
According to Newsweek, in the report one nursing home official claimed to have seen Harvey speaking with an elderly female resident, who suffers from dementia, as she watched television. Another employee said Harvey appeared as if he were going to kiss the woman. When Harvey led the woman to her room, the witnesses had reportedly gone in search of a nurse. When they came across the door to the victim’s room, it was not only closed, but obstructed by a chair from the inside. After some effort the door was forced open, at which time they discovered the victim undressed and Harvey with his pants removed. Harvey later confessed to police that he’d intended to have sex with the elderly resident.
Sexual assaults can, and unfortunately sometimes do, occur in nursing homes. By definition sexual assault is a type of nursing home malpractice, and specifically of elder abuse, in that it is an intentional and harmful act carried out by individual against an elderly person as well as possibly an act of negligence on the part of a nursing home. If loved ones of elderly nursing home residents notice in them signs of abuse—such as unexplained injuries or abrupt changes of temperament or depression—and suspect that nursing home malpractice has occurred, they should immediately contact a nursing home malpractice attorney.
According to Newsweek, RiverOaks released the following statement about the incident: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is at the forefront of everything we do at RiverOaks Health Campus. On January 22nd, staff identified, intervened, and reported an incident to authorities which occurred at the campus. An investigation is now in progress. We cannot comment any further but continue to remain committed to delivering excellence in care to each and every resident that calls RiverOaks home.'”
According to the article, a Level 3 rape felony conviction can mean a jail sentence of between three and 16 years, whereas a Level 1 rape felony conviction can result in a jail sentence of 20-40 years.
Your Advocate against Elder Abuse, Nursing Home Malpractice, and Wrongful Death
Attorney Brian P. Murphy is a seasoned nursing home malpractice lawyer and wrongful death attorney dedicated to preserving the rights and safety of nursing home residents in Philadelphia/PA and NJ nursing homes. Your loved one living in a Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or New Jersey nursing home should confidently expect to live free from every sort of nursing home malpractice, and especially sexual assault or elder abuse. Brian Murphy holds Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing homes accountable for any substandard care or abuse, particularly any incident of nursing home malpractice that results in wrongful death. Attorney Brian Murphy is ready to discuss your legal options. If you or your loved one needs to contact a nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, call Brian Murphy today.
