North Carolina Nursing Home Worker Accused of Sexual Assault
A North Carolina nursing home worker has been accused of sexually assaulting an elderly resident. The assault allegedly took place in February, but the victim only recently came forward.
According to local TV station WTVD, 42-year-old Michael Brodie is the worker accused of the assault. Brodie had prior charges on his record and a background check was performed, but his record did not preclude him from working at the nursing home. For more information, you can see WTVD's report below.
This story illustrates that, though states require background checks for nursing home employees, this does not always keep all criminals out. Sexual assault is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable and we must all work to prevent it. If you have a loved one who is in a nursing home, please pay attention for physical and emotional signs of abuse. These can include:
Bruising on inner thighs
Sexually transmitted diseases
Difficulty walking or standing
Pain and/or itching in the genital area
Scared or timid behavior
Depressed, withdrawn behavior
Sudden changes in personality
Fear of certain people or of physical characteristics
If you suspect abuse, you should contact an Arizona nursing home abuse attorney immediately. You should also consult the Arizona Department of Health Services website for more information on quality of nursing home care.
For more information on nursing home sexual abuse, visit the Nursing Home Advocates Sexual Assault information page.