from The Norman Transcript: (no relation)
Suspected criminal acts committed against residents of long-term
care facilities are to be reported immediately to law enforcement,
according to an advisory letter sent Oct. 27 from the Oklahoma State
Department of Health to all nursing homes in Oklahoma.
The
letter was sent to all nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities
and intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation.
The letter is in response to appeals by A Perfect Cause and the
overwhelming support for action by long-term care residents' families,
the Attorney General's Office, Oklahoma County District Attorney's
Office, YWCA and Long-Term Care Facilities Advisory Board.
Earlier
this year, Wes Bledsoe, citizens' advocate and founder of A Perfect
Cause, discovered major gaps in Oklahoma statutes concerning the
reporting of criminal acts in long-term care facilities to law
enforcement. He contacted the Oklahoma County District Attorney's
office and Attorney General's Office about his concerns after a
41-year-old nursing home resident was raped and sexually assaulted in
August 2007. Upon further investigation it was determined the rape and
assault were never reported to law enforcement, Bledsoe said.
Suspected criminal acts committed against residents of long-term
care facilities are to be reported immediately to law enforcement,
according to an advisory letter sent Oct. 27 from the Oklahoma State
Department of Health to all nursing homes in Oklahoma.
The
letter was sent to all nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities
and intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation.
The letter is in response to appeals by A Perfect Cause and the
overwhelming support for action by long-term care residents' families,
the Attorney General's Office, Oklahoma County District Attorney's
Office, YWCA and Long-Term Care Facilities Advisory Board.
Earlier
this year, Wes Bledsoe, citizens' advocate and founder of A Perfect
Cause, discovered major gaps in Oklahoma statutes concerning the
reporting of criminal acts in long-term care facilities to law
enforcement. He contacted the Oklahoma County District Attorney's
office and Attorney General's Office about his concerns after a
41-year-old nursing home resident was raped and sexually assaulted in
August 2007. Upon further investigation it was determined the rape and
assault were never reported to law enforcement, Bledsoe said.
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