Police in Ferguson are investigating an alleged rape of an elderly woman at the Christian Care Home.
According to a report by NBC 5 in Missouri, Colette Green was visiting and caring for her 84-year-old mother at the nursing home every day. During a visit last week, Green says she noticed what she believes were signs of sexual abuse while she was bathing her mother. She told NBC 5 that she reported her concerns to staff, who said they would investigate. However, she says she returned the next day to find the injuries had gotten worse.
Green's mother was brought to a hospital and a rape kit was performed. According to paperwork from the family, doctors believe that the elderly woman was sexually assaulted.
Green's mother has been released from the hospital and moved to a different nursing home. An investigation into these allegations is ongoing.
In the same report by NBC 5, Medicare records showed multiple cases of abuse allegations at Christian Care Home over the past three years. Medicare has also fined the home almost $90,000 over that period for various violations.
Reed Martens is a sexual abuse victims lawyer. We've asked him for some input on liability for nursing home abuse:
We trust nursing homes to be safe environments where our elderly loved ones can spend their last years. But tragically, nursing home abuse cases are a widespread problem across the United States. When our trust in a nursing home is violated and our loved one is physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, it's important to demand accountability from the facility.
By taking legal action against the nursing home, families can recover financial compensation for both emotional and financial difficulties they've faced as a result of the abuse. Additionally, these lawsuits help protect other residents from suffering abuse due to negligence at the facility.
If you or a loved one has been sexually abused in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you can learn more about your legal options by speaking with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.