Brookdale Montrose

A licensed practical nurse at Brookdale Montrose in Copley Township is accused of sexually abusing a 69-year-old woman living at the facility.

(Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com)

Edward McShaffrey

COPLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A licensed practical nurse at an assisted living home here is accused of sexually abusing a woman with a mental health condition living at the facility.

Edward McShaffrey, 58, of Akron, is charged with one count of fourth-degree felony gross sexual imposition. McShaffery is not in police custody and a warrant was issued Wednesday for his arrest.

The incident happened about 3:20 a.m. Saturday at the Brookdale Montrose senior living center on Brookmont Road. A portion of their clients are in the assisted living part of the building, according to its website.

The 69-year-old woman is unable to consent to such actions with the McShaffrey because of what police described as a "diagnosed medical condition," according to court records.

A co-worker walked into the woman's room on Saturday. She reported to police she saw McShaffrey lifting the woman's shirt up and sexually molesting her.

Copley Police Chief Michael Mier said the employee contacted her supervisor and the company went through an internal protocol before reporting the incident to police.

McShaffrey was immediately suspended from working at the facility pending an internal investigation by the home, Mier said.Detectives then launched an investigation that resulted in the criminal charge. Mier said detectives are still investigating the case.

The company said in an emailed statement that they fired McShaffrey. They said they performed a background check on McShaffrey before they hired him and found nothing that would "show any cause for concern."

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents are our highest priorities," the statement says. "We have worked closely with the local authorities and the appropriate state agencies on an investigation of improper conduct of one of our associates."

Brookdale costs from $2,600 to $4,975 per month for assisted living, depending on the person's mental health condition, their website says.

McShaffrey became a licensed practical nurse in 2004, state records say. He has no violations as a nurse and his nursing license is listed as active.

Attempts to reach McShaffrey were unsuccessful.