Rhode Island Nursing Assistant Faces Sexual Assault Charges - UPDATE
We discussed the case of a Rhode Island nursing assistant accused of sexual assault in our previous blog. Matthew F. Doyle, 24, was charged with the sexual assault of a 69 year old Alzheimer's patient at the St. Elizabeth Home in Rhode Island on July 28, 2008. A grand jury has charged Doyle with two counts of first degree sexual assault and he has been ordered held without bail.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes across America is an appalling problem. Often, nursing home corporations, more interested in turning a profit than a thorough background check on employees, will overlook problems with current or prospective employees. This practice ultimately places the residents at risk of becoming victims of physical and/or sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, the problem of sexual abuse of nursing home residents is far more common than anyone would believe. Nursing home corporations should do everything they can to protect their residents from this type of predator. When incidents such as this occur, prosecutors should seek the harshest penalty available.
