In a disturbing case from Minnesota, a nurse has been accused of both physical and sexual abuse against a patient in a coma.
The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center was alerted on December 2 about allegations involving 63-year-old James Mackey. According to reports, Mackey was captured on home security video engaging in abusive acts, such as pinching the male patient’s nose during nebulizer treatments, thrusting a large object into the patient’s groin, and forcefully handling the patient’s limbs, as detailed by KAAL.
Employed by Regency Home Healthcare in Austin, Mackey had been looking after the patient since January 2025. During his tenure, the patient experienced multiple hospitalizations, raising concerns about the care being provided.
The Post Bulletin reported that footage also showed Mackey inserting his finger into the patient’s rectum, misusing the patient’s tracheostomy tube, lifting the patient by his hair, tampering with feeding and medication tubes, and using a suction tube in a way that caused the patient to gag and struggle for breath.
Allegedly, Mackey also threatened further penetration if the patient did not fall asleep, and was heard on video making derogatory comments, referring to the patient as a “good dog” and commanding him to bark.
The reported incidents took place on November 22, 26, and 28 of 2025. Following these allegations, Regency Home Healthcare confirmed that Mackey was immediately removed from all duties pending their internal investigation.
Mackey admitted to all the actions he was seen doing on camera — but he described them as his “little tricks” for treating the patient, the Post Bulletin reported.
Mackey, who appeared in court on Tuesday, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, including penetration, victim mentally impaired/physically helpless; felony criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult by caretaker; and three charges of gross misdemeanor fourth-degree assault of a vulnerable adult. His bail was set at $100,000 bail with conditions, or $150,000 bail without conditions.
[Feature Photo: Olmstead County police]
