Gelderland care farm worker suspended for sexually abusing mentally disabled clients
A care facility in Loenen suspended an employee suspected of sexually inappropriate behavior toward clients with intellectual disabilities. Several people and the facility itself have filed reports with the police, Omroep Gelderland reported.
The facility involved is De Groote Modderkolk care farm in Loenen, part of the anthroposophical care facility DeSeizoenen. The facility offers live-in care for approximately 10 adults with intellectual disabilities. The clients live and work at the facility while receiving 24-hour care.
“The inappropriate behavior came to light after a colleague noticed it and investigated it further. Immediate action was taken,” DeSeizoenen told Omroep Gelderland. This was in late November.
The care farm confronted the employee and suspended them. The board then filed a report with the police and notified the Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate, as is required by law.
Sources told Omroep Gelderland that, after the initial report, more incidents came to light and several subsequent reports were filed with the police.
DeSeizoenen declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations by both the police and the institution itself. “Prior to this incident, we were not aware of any signs of inappropriate behavior by this employee,” the care facility said.
The police confirmed that they have launched an investigation and that no arrests have been made as of yet. The Inspectorate told Omroep Gelderland that the employee involved had a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), which is mandatory in healthcare.
