Lawsuit Filed in Albert Lea Nursing Home Abuse

ALBERT LEA, Minn. - A lawsuit has been filed against the nursing home where four assistants allegedly abused residents at the home.

Albert Lea Police sent the Freeborn County Attorney's Office a report about the incidents and the accused, which include one adult and three juveniles. Charges could range from assault to malicious treatment at a care facility.

The Minnesota Department of Health released a report Thursday showing that 15 residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia disorders were abused at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea earlier this year.

Claims are being made against the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, along with nursing assistants Brianna Broitzman, Ashton Larson, Alicia Heilmann and Kaylee Nash, all of Albert Lea.

The Minnesota Department of Health released a report Thursday showing that 15 residents with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia disorders were abused.

According to the report, the nursing assistants allegedly spit in residents' mouths, poked their breasts and touched their genitals. The residents were also subject to teasing.

Three of the residents have since died, and authorities were unable to interview most of the others because of their cognitive impairment -- factors that could make the case difficult to prove.

The nursing home won't be punished, because officials followed procedures and notified proper authorities, the Health Department said in its report.

A spokesman for the company told FOX 9 they knew a lawsuit was possible and contend supervisors did report the abuse as soon as they learned of it.

That a state health department investigation only cited the employees, not the home, which they say, exonerates them.

The suit lists damages of at least $50,000 with each of the nine counts, but the lawyers say that is simply a legal requirement snd that the actual damages could be in the millions.