ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Certified Nursing Assistant Sentenced
Jury Trial Found Defendant Guilty
Elder Abuse And Sexual Battery Findings
Sexual assault is a crime and, when perpetrated on a senior or dependent adult, is an additional crime of elder/dependent adult abuse and grounds for civil liability for damages. Penal Code § 368 and Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.63(e) (definition of sexual assault as a form of physical abuse). Lately, there has been an increase in these horrendous crimes, perpetrated on seniors and dependent adults in their own homes and in care facilities in both settings by the very persons paid for to take care of them. Evans Law Firm. Inc. represents victims of sexual assault or other abuse in nursing homes, and their families, and pursues all persons responsible, including owners, administrators and managers who are responsible for hiring and supervising caregivers. Remedies in these cases include awards of attorneys’ fees and costs for bringing the lawsuit. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657. Call us today at (415)441-8669 if any senior loved one has suffered any kind of elder abuse in San Francisco or elsewhere in California. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Recent Sentencing Of Caregiver For Sexual Assault[1]
On August 8, California Attorney General Bonta announced the sentencing of a Los Angeles County certified nursing assistant and caregiver for elderly and dependent persons, for sexually abusing an elderly dependent in a skilled nursing facility where he was employed. Following a jury trial in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, defendant was found guilty of two counts: one count of misdemeanor elder abuse and one count of felony sexual battery on an elderly or dependent adult. He has now been sentenced to serve two years in state prison. As part of his sentence, defendant will be required to register as a lifetime sex offender and pay restitution in an amount to be later determined by the Court. “Caretaking is an honorable profession that provides support, attention, and understanding to elders and their loved ones; those who violate this trust and abuse our elders will be held accountable under the law,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice will continue to use the full force of the law to protect the rights and well-being of our elderly community. I urge Californians to report any suspected mistreatment of our elderly to our Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse at oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.”
Protecting Your Older Loved Ones From Sexual Abuse
Families and friends of elders and dependent adults under the care of in-home caregivers need to visit and speak with them as often as possible to make sure they are not at risk of abuse or neglect by their caregivers. You know your loved one best, and you will be able to pick up on any emotional or behavioral changes that may be signs of any kind of abuse, including sexual abuse. If you suspect something is wrong do something about it right away. Alert the home’s administrator and the authorities, but also call qualified elder counsel. Counsel can pursue all persons responsible for any sort of abuse, and those who hired and supervise the abusers, including administrators and owners.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans represents victims of elder abuse, and their families and heirs, in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California. If you need help, call us today at 415-441-8669 or toll free at 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
