A man, aged 39, has been taken into custody and faces charges of sexual assault after being caught on surveillance entering the room of a 61-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s at The Palms La Mirada Senior Living Facility, according to law enforcement and the victim’s family.
In response, the family has initiated legal action against the senior living center.
Staff at the facility quickly went to the woman’s aid after video footage revealed a man undressing in her apartment. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Jonathan Michael Alvarado. Investigators report that Alvarado first encountered the victim while volunteering as a musician to entertain the residents.
The incident was uncovered by the victim’s daughter, Camyl Anderson, who routinely checks on her mother’s safety through cameras installed in her apartment. Anderson shared that her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 55 and has been residing at the facility for several years.
“On the day it occurred, I was at work and received more notifications than usual,” Anderson recalled.
She explained that upon reviewing the camera footage from June of the previous year, she was appalled by what she witnessed.
“Once I was able to get back to my office and see the video. I just saw a man sitting on her bed, bending over, tying his shoes, and then he was walking out, and she was just left on her bed, nude,” she said.
She immediately called caregivers to check on her mother, then she contacted police.
“I couldn’t believe it, honestly. And then I was angry, and then I just screamed, and then I cried,” Anderson said.
The family’s attorney, Dominique Westmoreland, says there is a lack of security at the facility.
“It’s a violation of those who are at most vulnerable in our society, especially knowing that her mother had been diagnosed with dementia,” Westmoreland said.
In a statement, The Palms La Mirada said, “The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority. We are disturbed by these allegations and will fully cooperate with any criminal investigation.”
Alvarado is charged with one felony count of rape and one felony count of elder abuse. The investigation is ongoing.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is urging anyone with information related to this case, or anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Alvarado, to come forward immediately.Individuals are encouraged to contact the Special Victims Bureau and ask for Sergeant Joe Ramos at (562) 946-7960.
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