BREMERTON, Wash. - A Bremerton nursing home is under investigation, after the staff was caught allegedly taking nude photos of some of the patients. A nurse and two nursing aids have already been fired.
Susan Dreyfus, Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, says they are now investigating three nursing staff members at the Kitsap Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bremerton. They were fired after allegedly taking inappropriate photos of patients on their cell phones, and sharing them as entertainment.
"It just can't be tolerated," says Dreyfus. "If this was my parent or your parent, we would be incensed by this."
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."
Bremerton Police is investigating it as a case of voyeurism, but a spokesperson for the department says since the photos apparently were not sexually motivated, the staffers may not be charged.
Some patients' family members heard about the allegations and came to see what was going on. Jeff Shelly of Poulsbo says he was appalled.
"It's very inappropriate behavior for a staff member to be doing that," Shelly said.
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.
"We would take all appropriate enforcement actions including revocation of license if it goes that far," says Dreyfus.
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.
The case has been handed over to the prosecutor's office to decide whether to press charges.
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