Illinois Nursing Home Chaplain Accepts a Plea Deal and is Sentenced for Sexual Abuse
A former chaplain for an Illinois nursing home pleaded guilty recently to two counts of criminal sexual abuse that involved both a child and an elderly woman—one count was for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and one count was for criminal sexual assault. The ex-chaplain waived his right to a jury trial, and the judge sentenced the 58-year-old man to 26 years imprisonment. The sentencing included seven years for each count of criminal sexual assault, six years for the predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, and six years for criminal sexual assault. The sentences will be served consecutively.
The former chaplain was arrested in June after the nursing home contacted the police to inform them that two elderly female residents in the nursing home had reported being touched inappropriately by the man.
The defendant was accused of using force in the assault of the two residents who filed the complaint regarding assaults that were alleged to have occurred in May.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to protect residents of the nursing home from sexual assaults or other abuse and exploitation by clergy persons or others who gain access to the facility under the guise of providing religious or spiritual comfort and counsel may be considered provision of sub-standard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Point:
- Review policies and procedures requiring persons seeking to be employed or to volunteer as a chaplain at a facility to ensure that they have valid clergy credentials and have completed chaplaincy training from a recognized organization that certifies/trains clergy to serve as chaplains for hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings.
- Train staff to be alert to any employee or volunteer with access to residents as a chaplain or other volunteer to ensure that they are not taking advantage of their position to inappropriately interact with residents. Remind staff to report any suspicious incidents to their supervisor or through the Hotline.
- Periodically audit to verify that the qualifications of persons serving as chaplains either as a staff member or a volunteer have been checked, and also interview residents and staff about how the chaplain interacts with them.
