Former Nursing Home Aide Charged with Elderly Sexual Assault

Less than two weeks ago, former nursing home aide Sara Comtois, 23, was arrested and charged with two counts of gross sexual assault of a 74-year-old man while she was employed at Penobscot Nursing Home on March 26, 2014. The facility was closed only four months later after this and other incidents caused the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revoke its certification.

According to documents filed in Hancock County Unified Criminal Court in Ellsworth, Comtois pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and received 45 days in jail plus a $415 fine. Had she not accepted the plea bargain suggested by prosecutors, Comtois would have faced three years behind bars and a fine of up to $5,000.

If you suspect that your loved one is being sexually abused while residing at a nursing home contact one of our qualified nursing home abuse lawyers today for a free consultation.

Federal investigative documents revealed that Comtois incident was one of several that contributed to Penobscot Nursing Homes official termination. The home was licensed to house up to 54 residents, but numerous violations had been cited in reports by federal inspectors, which included:

• The death of a patient after a fall (April 29, 2014)
• Unsanitary practices
• Substandard physical conditions
• Insufficient/ improper recordkeeping

The home was assessed a penalty of $19,000 for failing to meet minimum health and safety standards, in addition to a daily fine of $2,350 for every day it failed to address the violations beginning May 23.

Comtois began serving her sentence on Feb. 27 at Hancock County Jail.

In Wisconsin, assault of an elderly person is a crime. If you believe that your loved one has been hit, pushed, or brutalized sexually or physically, you have a legal right to report your suspicions and file a lawsuit for damages.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for those who have been harmed by the very people they trust the most. Contact a Milwaukee injury attorney at our law firm today to discuss your legal options, and receive a completely complimentary review of your claim.

Fill out our free case evaluation form or call  414-333-3333 to get started.