Police tell KIRO 7 they’re investigating a second reported sexual assault at the same North Seattle nursing home where last week prosecutors said a nursing assistant was charged after being caught on a hidden camera raping a 50-year-old disabled woman.
The victim in the latest reported sexual assault at Foss Home and Village on Greenwood Avenue is a 93-year-old woman, according to her son who spoke with KIRO 7 in an interview.
"She's very sad,” said the woman’s son, whose identity we’re not releasing. “She said, ‘No, it shouldn't happen to anybody.’"
Seattle police would not confirm whether the jailed nursing assistant, 28-year-old Nshimiyiana Hamzat, is also suspected in the sexual assault of the 93-year-old woman. Foss Home and Village told us last week he has been suspended.
The 93-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a caretaker in April, according to her son, who said he was told by the nursing home that the employee had been suspended.
"They told me they, yeah, we suspend him,” said the man. “The next day [he] showed up in her room."
Foss Home and Village would not release details about the employee who reportedly sexually assaulted the 93-year-old woman but said in emails last week to KIRO 7, “As part of the hiring process, all employees have criminal background checks, reference checks and license checks before hire.”
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services said it has launched an investigation into Foss Home and Village.
DSHS said Hamzat owns an unaffiliated adult home in Bothell where operations have been suspended, and four residents relocated, pending the outcome of an investigation. Foss Home and Village said last week, "We have no other allegations involving the employee referenced."
DSHS says reports of adult abuse throughout the state, including vulnerable adults who are not in facilities, have tripled in a six-year span. Sexual abuse accounts for 3 percent of reports and financial exploitation is the most common, DSHS said.
Signs of abuse include:
- Suspicious or unexplained bruises, sores or weight loss
- A sudden change in personality
- Neglect of hygiene, clothing, home, medicine or food
- Personal belongings are missing
- Verbal aggression
- No longer attending social functions or regular activities
- Losing contact with family and friends, being isolated from loved ones
Beyond reporting incidents to police, people can report concerns to DSHS: 1-800-562-6078
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- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
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