Two employees of a Massachusetts nursing home have been accused with posting videos of themselves abusing residents on the popular smartphone app Snapchat.
According to authorities, police were called to Wingate Nursing Home in Lowell, MA, after relatives of the residents became aware of allegedly inappropriate videos posted on Snapchat. The videos allegedly depict one of the women getting into bed with a resident, as the resident yelled for her to get out. Another video allegedly shows a resident being asked questions about her personal life.
Sabrina Costa, 23, and Kala Shaniece Lopez, 22, were both charged with permitting abuse on an elderly or disabled person. Costa was also charged with battery. Both women were arraigned on Tuesday, and released on the condition that they won’t have contact with the alleged victims or work with the elderly in a healthcare capacity.
The case isn’t the first time a LTC worker has found themselves in hot water over videos shared on Snapchat — in June, a nursing home employee in Indiana allegedly shared a nude photo of a resident with at least one other employee through the app. Authorities charged the employee with voyeurism, and ordered the nursing home to file a plan of correction.