Former Iowa nursing assistants arrested on suspicion of sexual relations with patients

Two former Iowa nursing assistants were arrested after they allegedly had sexual relations with patients, according to the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

On Feb. 21, the sheriff's office was notified by Prairie View Management Facility in Fayette that two patients were missing. The facility provides care for people with chronic mental illness, intellectual disabilities or medical conditions.

Four days later, according to a news release, the sheriff's office learned the missing patients were seen with two nursing assistants from the facility: Megan Marie Penney, 26, of Clermont and Paige Lynn Johanningmeier, 23, of Elgin.

An investigation showed the two nursing assistants developed relationships with the patients. After leaving the facility with the patients and harboring them, they had sexual relations with them, according to court documents. The patients were at the facility under court order because of mental illnesses.

Both of the nursing assistants were arrested on March 6 and charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or school employee.

Prairie View Management Facility said Penney and Johanningmeier are not current employees.