Home health aide charged with sexually assaulting elderly woman in Broward
A home health aide is facing serious charges after police say surveillance video captured him sexually assaulting an elderly woman in her Sunrise home.
Juan Jose Romero, 39, is being held without bond at the Broward County Jail on charges of sexual assault, sexual battery, and lewd and lascivious molestation of an elderly disabled person.
Family installed cameras, discovered abuse
According to an arrest report from the Sunrise Police Department, a relative of the victim had installed surveillance cameras in the home after hiring Lovable Family Home Care to assist the woman, who suffers from severe short-term memory loss.
On March 5, while reviewing the footage, the relative witnessed Romero sexually assaulting the woman. A further review of the video revealed another incident the day before, reportedly showing Romero inappropriately touching the woman while she sat in a recliner.
Romero was taken into custody at his company's office by Pembroke Pines Police after the victim's relative alerted the home care service. When briefly questioned by police, the victim was unaware the incidents had occurred.
Attorney, police urge accountability
Romero also faces an immigration hold and police are continuing to investigate.
"I don't understand how you're doing your vetting process for someone you're putting into a home alone with the most vulnerable members of our population—how that can happen," said Anthony Bruno, the victim's attorney. "The family is traumatized obviously, and there are a lot of words I can think of. But it's hard to put into words."
Sunrise Police detectives are urging anyone with information or who may have experienced similar incidents to contact the department at 954-746-3499.
