Regarding abuse of vulnerable adults, the Minnesota legislature has declared “that the public policy of this state is to protect adults who, because of physical or mental disability or dependency on institutional services, are particularly vulnerable to maltreatment; to assist in providing safe environments for vulnerable adults; and to provide safe institutional or residential services, community-based services, or living environments for vulnerable adults who have been maltreated. In addition, it is the policy of this state to require the reporting of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults, to provide for the voluntary reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults, to require the investigation of the reports, and to provide protective and counseling services in appropriate cases.” (Minn. Stat. § 626.557, subd. 1)
From 2005 to 2013, there were 23 substantiated cases of sexual abuse on the part of Minnesota nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes for the mentally challenged, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
According to investigations reported by the Minnesota Department of Health, the following facilities were found to have violated the Minnesota Statue regarding sexual abuse of vulnerable adults (Minn. Stat. § 626.5572, subdivision 2, c):
- Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Hennepin County
- Accessible Space ASI Metro 3, an assisted living facility in Ramsey County
- Aldrich Board and Care, LLC, an assisted living facility in Hennepin County
- Alterra Sterling House of Faribault, an assisted living facility in Rice County
- Augustana Health Care Center of Minneapolis, an assisted living facility and nursing home in Hennepin County
- Cerenity Care Center White Bear Lake, an assisted living facility and nursing home in Ramsey County
- Golden Living Center Lynwood, an assisted living facility and nursing home in Anoka County
- Good Samaritan University Special Care, an assisted living facility in Hennepin County
- Good Shepherd Home Health Care, an assisted living facility and nursing home in Benton County
- Highland Chateau Health Care Center, a nursing home in Ramsey County
- Madonna Meadows, an assisted living facility in Olmstead County
- Minnesota Heritage House, an assisted living facility in Morrison County
- Minnesota Valley Health Center, a nursing home in Le Seuer County
- Mounds Park Residence, an assisted living facility in Ramsey County
- MTAI Gladson Golden Valley, an intermediate care center for the mentally challenged in Hennepin County
- Northeast House, Inc., an intermediate care center for the mentally challenged in Hennepin County
- Richfield Health Center, a nursing home in Hennepin County
- Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center, a nursing home in Hennepin County (an Extendicare facility)
- St. Olaf Residence, a nursing home in Hennepin County
- Texas Terrace Care Center St. Louis Park, a nursing home in Hennepin County (an Extendicare facility)
- Transition Healthcare LLC, an assisted living facility in Hennepin County
- Westwood Health Care Center St. Louis Park, a nursing home in Hennepin County
Augustana Health Care Center has had two substantiated reports of sexual abuse levied against it by the Minnesota Department Health—one in 2006 and again 2011.
The Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm represents clients in cases involving catastrophic injury caused by nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to provide proper care, including the occurrence of sexual abuse. If you or your loved one has been harmed due to a nursing home’s failures, take action and contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
