PHILADELPHIA (CN) - Cambridge Retirement Community failed to act when a mentally disabled resident was sexually assaulted by other residents, including two who were H.I.V. positive, the alleged victim's guardians claim in Philadelphia County Court.
Plaintiff Paul Shreckengost is 54 years old and has an IQ of 53. His guardians claim that most of the other residents at Cambridge are not actually mentally ill, but have some form of mental illness.
They say Cambridge staff saw "telltale signs" that Shreckengost was being preyed upon and exploited, but ignored them.
Instead of acting, Cambridge allegedly tried to cover up evidence of the sexual abuse.
An investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare found that after a May 2007 assault, "Cambridge staff directed Paul to destroy evidence by showering, washing his hair, changing and washing his clothes, brushing his teeth, using a towel to wipe off any bodily fluids, wiping off his own genitals with a towel, and then washing the towel," the lawsuit claims.
As a result of the ongoing abuse, Shreckengost allegedly suffers from fear, anxiety, nightmares, rashes, embarrassment, incontinence and mental anguish, among other conditions.
He is represented by Raynes McCarty.
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