Woman Wins Suit Against Virginia Assisted Living Home

June 5, 2009

A jury has awarded $750,000 in damages against an assisted living facility in Newport News, Virginia where a former staffer is accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled resident.

Last week’s verdict came in a lawsuit filed against Cote De Neige Home for Adults and owner Rose Daniels Potter by the sister of a 55-year-old man who was a resident at the facility.

Junious Boyd Batten of Newport News is accused of sexually assaulting the man while working at the home as a certified nursing assistant. Batten is charged with forcible sodomy, carnal knowledge and abuse and neglect.

The lawsuit claimed the home and Potter failed to exercise “reasonable care” when they hired the 40-year-old Batten, who had a previous criminal record.