Woman Suing Winchester House for Negligence

Chrissie Cole

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A former Wildwood resident is suing Winchester House for negligence that she claims led to her sexual abuse.

The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in Lake County Court on behalf of an 82-year-old Alzheimer's patient that lives at the county-run nursing home.

from her family, fondling and sexually abusing her on several occasions before October 15, 2006
The man, 64, was charged and pled guilty on September 6 to sexually abusing the woman. He was placed on probation for four years.

Lake County administrators are aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment.

"There are two sides to every story," said Jennie Khoen, county spokeswoman. "We have not had an opportunity to review the complaint. It would be premature to comment at this time."

The suit seeks over $50,000 in damages and accuses Winchester House of violating state laws protecting nursing home residents from neglect and abuse.

An Illinois Department of Public Health investigation found Winchester House administrators failed to notify in a timely manner the state or family members of inappropriate behavior witnessed by staff.