Wisconsin Nursing Home Employee Charged for Explicit Snapchat Video

Amid growing concern for elder abuse via social media, a Wisconsin nursing home worker has been charged with a felony after posting a nude photo of an elderly resident on Snapchat, a popular social media app.

For help getting justice and compensation for any injuries resulting from abuse or neglect, contact the nursing home abuse lawyers at Pitman, Kalkhoff, Sicula & Dentice to learn more about your legal rights.

Twenty-one-year-old Grace Reidlinger uploaded a video of a 93-year-old resident of Parkside Manor in Kenosha, Wis., wearing only a bra. She told authorities that she uploaded the video because the woman was playing tug of war with her while she was trying to prepare her for bed. The resident reportedly has Alzheimers disease and dementia.

The video was posted to Snapchat, where users can share short videos and photos with a chosen group of friends that last for 24 hours before disappearing without a trace. One of Redlingers friends on the app alerted the nursing home about the video. The facility then notified authorities.

Reidlinger was fired by the facility and charged with a felony. She was released from custody on the condition that she never return to Parkside Manor or any other nursing home facility. If she violates these conditions, she will have to pay a fine of $10,000.

A Growing Trend

Elderly abuse is not new in nursing homes. However, a recent report by ProPublica revealed a growing trend of nursing home workers violating residents privacy rights by posting dehumanizing pictures and video on social media sites.

There have been 35 reported cases in the last four years. However, the number of abuse cases may be underreported since many victims have dementia and do not understand what is happening to them.

Nursing home abuse or neglect should be reported, whether sexual, emotional, physical. Abuse also includes violation of patient privacy via social media.

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