Police: Staffer raped resident at Smithfield assisted living facility

Police said Monday that a staff member of a Smithfield assisted living facility has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a resident there.

Officers went to Brookdale Senior Living, at 830 Berkshire Road, shortly before 3 a.m. last Thursday in response to a reported sex assault.

A 79-year-old woman said she was attacked by a staff member, police said.

Brookdale administrators said a supervisor detained a suspect as soon as the allegation was made, and the suspect was removed from the facility as police investigated.

Joseph Ngigi Kariuki, 47, of Clayton, was charged with second-degree forcible rape. He was being held Monday in the Johnston County jail under $100,000 bond and will make his first court appearance on Friday.

"We are saddened by these allegations, as having the trust of our residents and their families is extremely important to us," Brookdale administrators said in a statement. "We take the safety and wellbeing of our residents very seriously. Inappropriate conduct or behavior is never tolerated and is dealt with swiftly.

"Our company has thorough employment standards in place, including background checks, complying with state rules and regulations, and ongoing training of employees. Our hiring policies were followed in regard to this individual," the administrators said.