BREMERTON, Wash. - Kitsap County prosecutors will not charge three employees of a Bremerton nursing home accused of taking nude cell phone photos of residents.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Casad told the Kitsap Sun while it appears the employees behaved stupidly it doesn't appear they committed a crime.
Three nursing staff members at the Kitsap Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bremerton were under investigation. They were fired after allegedly taking inappropriate photos of patients on their cell phones, and sharing them as entertainment.
Three nursing staff members at the Kitsap Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bremerton were under investigation. They were fired after allegedly taking inappropriate photos of patients on their cell phones, and sharing them as entertainment.
According to the police report, one photo was of "a resident nude in their room." That particular photo was of the patient "bent over, naked, buttocks."
The police report said the victimized patients were not aware of the photos. Some had "severe dementia and would not understand what had occurred." According to the report, one woman who was self-conscious of her weight would be "emotionally crushed" if she knew about them.
One licensed practical nurse told police he and the two others had sent funny pictures to each other but denied taking inappropriate photos of residents.
Bremerton Police investigated it as a case of voyeurism, but a spokesperson for the department said since the photos apparently were not sexually motivated, the staffers may not be charged. Prosecutors apparently agreed.
The state Department of Social and Health Services is still investigating.
The nursing home, which is managed by Evergreen Healthcare, issued a short statement saying they notified the proper authorities and they're conducting their own investigation.
