Massachusetts CNA Guilty of Sexual Assault, Sentenced
Steven Laroche, a former CNA at St. Joseph's Manor Nursing Home in Brockton, Massachusetts, pled guilty on February 2, 2009, to indecent assault and battery on an elderly person. He was sentenced to two years in jail, with a suspended sentence. He was ordered to serve two years probation, wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, and register as a sex offender. You will recall that Laroche, now 69, was responsible for the care of a 93 year old resident who suffered from Parkinson's disease and dementia. During the overnight shift on January 31 - February 1, 2006, another CNA entered the resident's room and observed Laroche sexually assaulting the resident. The CNA informed her charge nurse of what she observed and a physical examination of the resident revealed that he had been a victim of a sexual assault.
While Laroche has been punished for his crime against the elderly resident, the nursing home is not off the hook. The family of the elderly man filed a lawsuit in July 2006 seeking damages for breach of contract and malpractice. The nursing home had been fined by the state for failing to report the assault or notify a physician, social worker, or the victim's family. Another CNA notified the state of the assault and subsequently lost her job at the facility. At issue is whether the nursing home is responsible for the actions of its employees. The nursing home alleges it is not responsible for anything that deviates from normal care. The attorney representing the family in the civil lawsuit believes "the plea by the defendant yesterday is relevant". A trial date has not yet been set.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home sexual abuse and assault. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
