Mark Genetiano was trusted to care for the elderly.
He is now behind bars, accused of sexually assaulting three female patients at an assisted living facility.
Mark Genetiano is charged with three counts of sex assault in the third degree.
According to court documents he pinched three women's bare breasts. Also included, witness statements that Genetiano laughed while assaulting the women, all in their late 80's or early 90's. Those same documents reveal all three suffer from Dementia and cannot recall the incidents.
News that shocks Katie Shell who has a relative living here at Kahala Nui, where the alleged assaults happened. "You have to screen people, and people are licensed. But every once in a while somebody gets in like that."
When the allegations surfaced Kahala Nui conducted it's own investigation, and that led to the eventual firing of Genetiano.
"Do you think it was appropriate what they did by just terminating the person. Oh absolutely, and I think they should revoke their license and make sure they don't practice here again," said Shell.
In a statement Kahala Nui CEO Pat Duarte said the facility reported the incidents to the Department of Health, and chose to file a police report to prevent this individual from continuing such acts in the future.
Elderly abuse does happen, maybe more than we know.
Scott Spallina, Deputy Prosecutor says, "Unfortunately elder abuse is a crime that is not often reported. It's a grossly under reported crime."
And while most care homes go above and beyond for our seniors, they shouldn't be beyond scrutiny.
"We put care home facilities with a tremendous amount of trust. But it shouldn't be blind trust though," said Spallina.
Spallina says there are signs you can look out for if you have a relative who is older and may be getting subjected to abuse. "Let's say in a situation happening in a care facility, be aware of changes in the patients behavior. Be aware of unexplained bruises, unexplained cuts. Be aware or perhaps someone being overly medicated."
Spallina says any problems can be reported to the Adult Protective Services at 832-5115.
