An Oregon nursing home resident reportedly was sexually assaulted by an employee of the facility. The resident, who is mentally incapacitated, was allegedly sexually assaulted at Valley West Health Care Center in Eugene, Oregon on December 22, 2010. Employees of Valley West Health Care Center notified local police, who arrested Robert Price, a facility employee. Price has pleaded not guilty to first degree sex abuse. He is schedule to appear in court on January 27, 2011.

Whether Mr. Price is guilty of sexually assaulting a resident or not, we don’t yet know. What we do know is that far too many nursing home residents are victims of rape and sexual assault. Why? Because sexual predators recognize the elderly as easy targets due to physical and mental infirmities. Nursing home companies are often culpable by failing to adequately check the employee’s background or failing to supervise employees. By reducing staffing levels so low they enable those who are prone to assault.

If your loved one has been sexually assaulted, call the police, call the state, and call an attorney.