Illinois Assisted Care Facility Sued Over Sexual Assault
Maplewood Care, Inc., its parent company, S.I.R. Management, Inc., and Maplewood Care, Inc.'s Head Administrator, James L. Doyle, were named as defendants in a Complaint filed Monday, May 11, 2009 in Cook County Circuit Court after a 69 year old resident of the assisted care facility was allegedly sexually assaulted by a fellow resident. The lawsuit alleges that nursing home officials did not do enough to prevent the attack and Doyle, the Administrator, tried to cover up an investigation into the incident by claiming that the sex was consensual.
On January 17, 2009, the 69 year old female resident was found in bed, alleging she had been sexually assaulted. The perpetrator? A 21 year old facility resident, who could not be located during a midnight bed check but was later found by police hiding in the woman's bathroom. Christopher P. Shelton was charged with criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual assault of a victim older than age 60. He remains in jail with a bail of $500,000.
Shelton was admitted to the facility in April 2008 with bipolar disorder with aggression. He has prior criminal convictions that include aggravated and domestic battery and fleeing from police. One month after he was admitted, Shelton was removed from the facility by police to stand for sentencing for a felony conviction but returned to Maplewood Care November 2008. The attorney for the plaintiff alleges that the facility failed to screen Shelton for a criminal record, therefore creating an unsafe environment for other residents.
Damages in excess of $50,000 are sought for each count of the eight count complaint.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home sexual abuse and assault. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 with any questions or concerns or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
