SPRINGFIELD, IL – Heritage Manor has been fined $20,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to protect residents from sexual abuse. The 60-bed skilled care facility is located at 402 S. Harrison in Colfax.

Responding to complaints, Department investigators learned facility administration failed to properly investigate allegations of sexual abuse of two residents by a staff member and to report the information to the Department as required by state law.

On one occasion, an employee responded to a resident's screams for help and found a male employee standing over the resident. The woman was only wearing a nightgown, which was pulled up around her neck. On another night, the same man was seen going out a resident's window by an employee who entered the room to check on the woman after hearing a noise. Both women indicated to staff that they had been inappropriately touched.

These incidents were reported to the director of nursing (DON), who is responsible for conducting all abuse and neglect investigations. The DON, who was married to the alleged perpetrator, failed to thoroughly investigate the incidents and allowed the employee to continue working with residents. The DON and the alleged perpetrator are no longer employed at the facility.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review and revise, as necessary, its policies and procedures regarding abuse, to ensure all cases of abuse are thoroughly investigated and reported to the Department, and to bar any employee suspected of abuse from further contact with residents pending the outcome of the investigation.

Heritage Manor has requested a hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 in Springfield.