A musician hired to entertain residents at a nursing home has been accused of rape after being recorded on surveillance cameras inappropriately entering a patient’s room.
The video footage shows Jonathan Michael Alvarado, 61, who has lived in the Los Angeles facility for several years due to his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, naked in the room. He can also be seen disposing of a condom before getting dressed.
The alarming incident took place in June, as noted by Camille Anderson, the daughter of the woman involved. She had set up a camera to monitor her mother’s care. “I witnessed a man sitting on her bed, tying her shoelaces, and then he tried to leave her naked on the bed,” she recounted, prompting her to immediately contact the authorities. Alvarado now faces charges for both rape and elder abuse. His role at the facility had been volunteering as a piano player.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it. Anger washed over me, and I just screamed and cried,” Anderson expressed about her reaction to the footage.
The incident has led to a $25 million lawsuit against The Palms La Mirada, the nursing home where the events occurred. The legal complaint states that the incident was documented in part through surveillance video and audio, adding that such attacks arise from the facility’s failures in ensuring proper safety measures for its residents.
A statement from The Palms La Mirada emphasized the importance of resident safety. They expressed shock regarding the allegations and affirmed their commitment to cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
