Nursing home under investigation after taking days to report abuse

NEWTON — A Newton nursing home is under investigation by police and state officials.

Families told Channel 9 the nursing home waited days to tell them and police that their loved ones were sexually abused by a fellow residence.

Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty asked why it took so long.

Family members were frustrated after learning almost a week passed before they found out a male residence was accused of going into rooms and groping three women.

"We trusted them with the precious thing we have, our mother, and we trusted them to take care of her and they did not," said a man who did not want to be identified.

Channel 9 learned at least one employee witnessed the male resident, who is described as confused and cognitively impaired, grope another resident.

Investigators found the director of nursing, executive director and facility administrator were aware of the alleged incidents on April 17, right after they happened.

When questioned about why it took nearly a week to notify family members and police, the executive director stated "they wanted to make sure the staffs were not over exaggerating and had accurate information."

The granddaughter of one of the residents who suffers from Alzheimer's and Dementia is disappointed the facility waited.  

"We trust them with her care. If something like that happened we would want to know that moment. We would want to be there for her also, to go and comfort her and be there for her and we weren't given that opportunity."

A statement was released Tuesday afternoon that said:

"The leadership team has taken necessary steps to make sure similar incidents do not occur in the future and appropriate family members and legal representatives are promptly notified of any unintended occurrences."

Police said the resident accused of the assaults has been moved out of the facility. Investigators are looking into both his actions, and how the facility responded. They will forward the case to the district attorney.

WSOC