Family sues La Mirada senior living facility after Jonathan Michael Alvarado charged with rape of CA Alzheimer’s patient

LA MIRADA, Calif. — A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with rape after surveillance cameras captured him in the bedroom of a 61-year-old Alzheimer’s patient at The Palms La Mirada Senior Living Facility, according to authorities and the victim’s family.

Now, the family is suing the senior living facility.

Caregivers rushed to check on the woman after the disturbing footage showed a man removing his clothes inside her apartment. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jonathan Michael Alvarado, who investigators say first came into contact with the victim while working as a volunteer musician contracted to perform for the residents.

The crime was discovered by the woman’s daughter, Camyl Anderson, who monitors her mother’s well-being through cameras she installed in the apartment. Anderson said her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 55 and has lived at the facility for several years.

“The day it happened, I was at work. I received more notifications than I usually do,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she checked the camera footage in June of last year and was horrified by what she saw.

“Once I was able to get back to my office and see the video. I just saw a man sitting on her bed, bending over, tying his shoes, and then he was walking out, and she was just left on her bed, nude,” she said.

She immediately called caregivers to check on her mother, then she contacted police.

“I couldn’t believe it, honestly. And then I was angry, and then I just screamed, and then I cried,” Anderson said.

The family’s attorney, Dominique Westmoreland, says there is a lack of security at the facility.

“It’s a violation of those who are at most vulnerable in our society, especially knowing that her mother had been diagnosed with dementia,” Westmoreland said.

In a statement, The Palms La Mirada said, “The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority. We are disturbed by these allegations and will fully cooperate with any criminal investigation.”

Alvarado is charged with one felony count of rape and one felony count of elder abuse. The investigation is ongoing.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is urging anyone with information related to this case, or anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Alvarado, to come forward immediately.Individuals are encouraged to contact the Special Victims Bureau and ask for Sergeant Joe Ramos at (562) 946-7960.