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Police concerned about delay in reporting By David Dinell Last Updated: June 16, 2016 The investigation into a possible sex offense at Bel Aire's Catholic Care Center has been closed, but because of the situation, any further such incidents will be handled differently. At issue is an April 24 incident at the center, 6700 E. 45th North, that Bel Aire police responded to. According to police reports, two officers were dispatched to the center to look into a possible sex offense. A nurse said she entered a room and found a maintenance worker "standing at the head" of a patient bed. The situation was unusual because there was no reason for the employee to be there as there was no work order for the room, the report stated. The patient was checked and nothing was found to be wrong with her, according to the report. What was an issue from the police department's perspective is that center officials delayed calling law enforcement. "The Catholic Care Center waited four hours to call the police to report the incidents," the report said. The center conducted its own investigation and "compromised any possible evidence that may have been recoverable by police investigators," the report stated. The center is a division of Ascension Health and its officials deny that there was any wrongdoing. In a statement, it said protocol was followed and it notified medical authorities, state agencies and others as mandated. "Immediately upon learning of the alleged incident we separated and protected all involved parties, suspended the individual in question and followed protocol by notifying state regulatory agencies, medical authorities and others," said Chris Curran, vice president of communication at Ascension Health, in a prepared statement. "The patient's medical doctor was already onsite, examined her and saw nothing concerning. At the same time, the individual with durable power of attorney for the patient was informed and indicated that, based on the medical doctor's findings, the patient did not have to be transported to the hospital and examined." Cindy LaFleur, the center's executive director, said the center now is working "side by side" with the police and chief Darrell Atteberry, who raised the concern. "We've smoothed things out and are building working relationships with him," she said. Catholic Care Center wants to continue to be a "great partner" with the city of Bel Aire, she said. The center has been in Bel Aire for more than 25 years, has 176 long-term and skilled beds and employs about 300 people. |
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