Aggravated battery charges have been filed against 49-year-old Sidney Mitchell, after he allegedly 'touched' a 79-year-old Alzheimer's patient at Emporia Manor Nursing Home.  An employee of the nursing home witnessed Mitchell approach the Alzheimer's patient in a TV-room when he began to inappropriately touch her.

Police were called to the Virginia nursing home immediately after the incident occurred and a warrant was soon issued for Mitchell's arrest.  

According to news reports, Sidney Mitchell is a convicted felon with prior larceny charges.  Mr. Mitchell is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 4, 2009.  

My Take:

First of all, why is a 49-year-old living freely amongst elderly patients with Alzheimer's?  Regardless, of Mr. Mitchell's criminal history, it generally is a prescription for trouble when facilities co-mingle patients with significant age disparities at the same facility.

Secondly, why to facilities consistently fail to check public records on their patients?  Sure, reporters are eager to get information on their stories, but isn't a quick check of public records justified especially in a cases of a 49-year-old who is living in a nursing home?

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