Felons Work in Florida Day Cares and Nursing Homes
Despite background checks, many are given exemptions, only to commit more crimes.
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Thousands of felons are being allowed to care for the elderly and children in nursing homes and day care centers despite a law requiring background checks on all employees.
Florida day care centers, assisted living facilities and group homes have hired thousands of felons to care for children, seniors and the disabled despite a law requiring background checks to screen all potential employees.
Many of these felons have committed rape, murder and child molestation, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
And even after it was discovered that these employees were felons, many were granted exemptions, which allowed them to continue working, under the condition that they do not commit more crimes.
However, 20 percent - about 1,800 felons - ended up getting arrested again, some for abusing the patients they were supposed to be caring for.
Part of the problem lies in a loophole in the law that allows employees to begin working even though the background check has not been completed, a process that can take months.
And even if the felony is discovered once they are on the job, it is not difficult to get an exemption.
Lucia Rivera, who had a record for aggravated assault, was given an exemption in 2005 after she was hired in a central Florida nursing home. Last year, she was charged with stealing more than $36,000 from the bank accounts of patients, most who were bedridden and comatose.
Latoera O'Neal, an admitted cocaine dealer in Ohio, was also given an exemption in 2004. Three years later, she was accused of dragging a mentally disabled man out of a van by his feet and slamming his head onto the pavement.
Now lawmakers are talking about closing the loopholes in the laws.
