Tucson nursing home nurse fired after patient sexually abused allegations

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TUCSON (KVOA) – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an alarming allegation against a former certified nursing assistant at Life Care Center in Tucson.

After repeated inquiries by N4T investigators, the sheriff’s department confirmed its investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse against a patient at the facility, but did not provide any details about the patient or the nurse and withheld them. police reports on the case.

When N4T investigators attempted to reach the management of the Life Care Center in Tucson, our calls weren’t returned by anyone at the local facility but by its head office Life Care Centers of America, who sent us the statement. next :

Residents are our top priority at Tucson Life Care Center. Our number one goal is to do everything in our power to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. We continually strive to provide quality service to our residents and respond immediately to concerns about their care.

Recently, we received a report which alleged that a Certified Practical Nurse (CNA) had abused a resident. The NBOD was immediately suspended while we conducted a thorough internal investigation. The allegations were unfounded. In addition to our own internal investigation, we reported the allegations to local police, appropriate state agencies, and residents’ families.

Although our internal investigation did not prove the alleged abuses, we terminated the ANC for other violations of the code of conduct, policies and procedures at our facilities. While our reporting procedures worked appropriately, we took the opportunity to re-educate our staff on Life Cares Abuse Policy, Suspected Abuse Reporting Requirements, and the Elderly Justice Act. .

Due to HIPAA regulations and out of respect for the resident, we cannot provide further details. However, we are fully cooperating with all authorities who are carrying out their own investigations.

We take great pride in the care and service our staff provide to our residents and their families. Our dedicated caregivers work very hard to make this facility known for its professionalism and compassion in providing service to our residents, and we will continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. .

Cody Bell, Executive Director

N4T investigators spoke to Katlyn Monje of the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. She said that in Arizona, the sexual abuse of people in nursing homes is unfortunately not unheard of.

This population [in nursing homes] sexual assault is significantly underreported, Monje said.

She said that not only was this underestimated, but also that he was hardly ever prosecuted.

There are a lot of perpetrators who are not held accountable, Monje said.

We also spoke to Lynne Cadigan, a local lawyer who has defended victims in several similar cases. She said nursing homes are a prime target for sex offenders.

Nursing homes are fertile ground for perpetrators who roam and perpetrate on these helpless victims, Cadigan said.

Cadigan believes that part of the problem is due to the way these types of centers are operated.

These institutions are run for profit, and when you’re for-profit you run into issues with staffing, training, lack of supervision, and background checks, Cadigan explained.

The Tucson Life Care Center has an A rating from the Arizona Department of Health, but according to state records in 2018, it received a complaint for allegedly abusing a patient. The state investigator found that the facility did not report the allegation to the state within five days according to state law and recommended further training. According to records, the facility is back in compliance.

On Google it has 3.5 stars and over a dozen bad reviews, many detailing similar stories of abuse, none described is sexual, but some said loved ones have been left sitting in their own garbage. for hours before receiving care from a nurse.

This is exactly what Leanna Schooley said happened to her mother, who died at the facility last year.

The place must be closed down altogether. It’s hard to hear your mom cry on the phone about the treatment she’s receiving, Schooley said.

Leanna says staff didn’t try to save her life when she fell ill, claiming her mother told them not to resuscitate her, but Leanna had a power of attorney for her care and said she didn’t has never been consulted.

I have to live with the fact that I don’t think I did enough for her and I really think they killed her, Leanna said.

A major change is underway for the supervision of nursing homes. In May, Governor Ducey announced that he wanted the current board of directors that oversees nursing home licensing to no longer be considered and transfer responsibility to the state after several reports of problems, with this change taking place. is expected in about a year.

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