A Long Island nursing home has become embroiled in a legal dispute after paying a stripper to perform for its residents.
The East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in West Babylon is arguing that the performance had been requested by nursing home residents and voted on by the home's activities committee but the family of one resident, Bernice Youngblood, are insisting that the facility subjected her to a "disgraceful sexual perversion."
Bernice's son Franklin initiated the lawsuit after discovering a photo of the stripper standing over his mother during a visit to the home and as the 85-year-old suffers from dementia, she has been unable to clarify the circumstance surrounding the performance other than to say that she felt "terrible" and "ashamed".
An attorney for the nursing home is arguing that the girlfriend of one of Bernice's son's accompanied her to the show but the family remain adamant that this does not mean she was not harmed by what she saw and are seeking a seven-figure sum in damages.
“Plaintiff Bernice Youngblood was placed in apprehension of imminent, offensive, physical harm, as she was confused and bewildered as to why a muscular, almost nude man, was approaching her and placing his body and limbs, over [her],” the lawsuit said.
Mr Youngblood’s attorney added: “Bernice Youngblood has lived 85 years as a traditional Baptist, hard-working, lady. And now she has been defiled.”
The case continues.
