Florida home health aide accused of molesting 86-year-old he was caring for
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A home health aid is accused of molesting an 86-year-old disabled woman he was caring for.
NBC affiliate WTVJ reported that 39-year-old Juan Jose Romero Ruiz was arrested Wednesday and faces charges of sexual battery and lewd lascivious molestation of an elderly disabled person.
Family members told police that the victim has dementia and poor short-term memory. The family hired Ruiz, who worked for Pembroke Pines-based Lovable Family Home Care, to tend to the woman's basic needs, such as cleaning and companionship.
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WTVJ reported that Ruiz started working for the victim on Tuesday. An arrest report stated that the victim's grandson checked surveillance footage and saw Ruiz molesting his grandmother.
He immediately alerted family members of the incident. He also called Ruiz's company and demanded that Ruiz be removed from the home.
Police said that the grandson also found footage from the day before of Ruiz sexually battering the victim.
'The fact that this guy acted on his impulse was, for lack of a better word, within hours of arriving at the home, indicates to me at least, this is most likely not his first time doing this,' said Anthony Bruno, the victim's family attorney told WTVJ.
Officers said they detained Ruiz at the company's Pembroke Pines office. He is being held with no bond at Broward County jail and an immigration hold.
'My understanding is (the victim) is doing well, all things considered, I can't advise us to whether she can fully comprehend what occurred to her given her condition,' Bruno said. 'The family is obviously traumatized.'
Lovable Family Home Care told the news station that it is fully cooperating with law enforcement officers.
'We are both saddened and in shock about this very unfortunate situation. As an agency in the community for the past 12 years, we have been working hard and strive to always give our members the best care,' the statement said in part. 'We have limited information and since this is an ongoing investigation, no further details can be provided.'
The Sunrise Police Department said it is determining if there are additional victims. Anyone who may have had similar experiences or additional information is asked to call police at 954-746-3499.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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