Dunn police investigating nursing home assaults

Authorities are investigating reports that a male worker inappropriately touched two patients at a Dunn nursing home.

Posted 2:42 p.m. May 14, 2009 — Updated 10:39 p.m. May 14, 2009

DUNN, N.C. — Authorities are investigating reports that a male worker inappropriately touched two patients at a Dunn nursing home.

Dunn police Capt. Tony Strickland said Thursday that the two incidents, involving 78-year-old and 51-year-old female patients, happened at Magnolia Living Center in Dunn on May 2 and that they are being investigated as aggravated assaults with sexual motives.

According to a police report, the first patient reported the incident to a nursing assistant on May 4; a supervisor reported it to police on May 5. The second incident was reported to police on May 12.

Police have not charged the worker, a 43-year-old certified nursing assistant, pending the investigation's outcome. He has been suspended, nursing home spokesman Terry Walker said.

According to its Web site, all nursing home employees undergo a background check before being hired.

"We'd like for the community to know that the safety and health of our residents are our primary concern," Walker said. "We don't feel like our residents are in danger."

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