A 22-year-old Chicago man has been charged in connection with the sexual abuse of a nursing home resident with severe disabilities at the Marklund Hyde Center in Geneva, Illinois.
The suspect, a nursing home staff member, was arrested after DNA samples were taken from employees during the investigation.
The sexual abuse wasn’t discovered until the resident — who is non-verbal — was found to be pregnant during a routine checkup at nearby Delnor Hospital. The next day, she gave birth to a child.
This deeply disturbing incident highlights the urgent need for better protection and vigilance in long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are common and can have devastating impacts on families.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center is committed to monitoring the problem, reporting on it, and supporting nursing home residents and their families by providing access to legal help.
If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, don’t wait. We may be able to help you take legal action to ensure their safety.
Get a free legal case review right now to find out if we may be able to help.
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Details of the Illinois Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Case
In the appalling Illinois nursing home sexual abuse case, the victim had been a resident for 20 years. She lives in the facility because she faces significant challenges due to her disabilities.
In addition to being nonverbal, she is also unable to walk independently. Further, symptoms of her existing medical conditions cause her abdomen to become enlarged. Together, these factors contributed to the pregnancy going undetected for so long.
However, once the pregnancy was discovered, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office swiftly launched an investigation.
Thanks to DNA evidence, the staff member has been charged in connection with the abuse. At the present time, he faces charges of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Battery.
The nursing home — Marklund Hyde Center — has almost 100 adult residents living at its Geneva, Illinois facility at any given time. All of the facility’s residents have what are described as “profound developmental disabilities.”
Marklund Hyde Center states that it maintains strict security protocols to safeguard its residents. For instance, access to residents’ living areas is highly restricted.
However, the absence of surveillance cameras in nursing home bedrooms has drawn attention to potential weaknesses in monitoring and oversight.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the need to protect vulnerable residents in nursing homes.
Understanding Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
The recent Illinois case is a clear example of nursing home sexual abuse. Unfortunately, many other instances are not as obvious.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) defines sexual elder abuse as “non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person.” This includes any unwelcome or non-consensual sexually-related activity, not just clear-cut sexual acts.
Examples of unwanted sexual conduct include:
- Coercing a person to engage in sexual conversations
- Exposing oneself to an older adult
- Forcing an older adult to undress
- Making inappropriate sexual comments or jokes
- Taking sexually explicit photos or videos without consent
- Touching or groping without consent
- Using sexual language or gestures that make the person uncomfortable
While it is difficult to imagine, sexual abuse in nursing homes is common and often goes unreported.
There are over 1,000 complaints of sexual abuse in nursing homes each year, according to the Administration for Community Living.
Abusers prey on vulnerable residents, such as those who can’t communicate or defend themselves. Additionally, residents with memory issues like Alzheimer’s disease are frequently targeted because predators know they most likely won’t remember or report the abuse.
For these reasons, it is imperative to monitor your loved one and take action immediately if you notice any warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois
In the event that your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. However, if the abuse does not require immediate attention, you can report nursing home abuse in Illinois through various methods.
It’s important to realize that anyone can report suspected nursing home abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Furthermore, reports can be made anonymously.
These are hotlines you can call to report nursing home abuse in Illinois:
- For adults age 60 or older and people with disabilities aged 18-59: Call the Adult Protective Services Hotline at 1-866-800-1409 (available 24/7)
- For nursing home residents: Call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 1-800-252-4343
- For residents in Supportive Living Facilities (SLFs): Call the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ SLF Complaint Hotline at 1-800-226-0768
Certain professionals, such as those in social services, health care, and law enforcement, are required by law to report suspected abuse if the victim cannot report it themselves.
If you live outside of Illinois, contact your state’s Department of Aging or local Adult Protective Services to find out reporting options.
Additionally, each state has a local long-term care ombudsman, which is another way to report nursing home abuse. Yet another option is to take legal action with the help of an experienced Illinois nursing home lawyer.
Illinois Nursing Home Lawyers Fight for Families
If you or a loved one suffered abuse or neglect in a long-term care facility, consider working with an experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer. These dedicated attorneys help residents and their families pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center works with an extensive network of experienced nursing home lawyers across the country. Together, they have recovered over $280 million for victims of nursing home abuse.
Money can never undo the devastation that nursing home abuse and neglect causes. However, it can help cover unexpected costs that often come with crisis situations like these.
Taking legal action can also bring peace of mind knowing that justice has been served. If your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, don’t wait to take action.
Call (855) 264-6310 right now or fill out this form to see if we can connect you with a top Illinois nursing home lawyer near you.
