A Los Angeles County family is speaking out after filing a $25 million lawsuit against a senior living facility, alleging negligence and abuse following the reported sexual assault of a woman living with dementia.
“You expect a certain level of security and protection, and that does not appear to have been the case,” said attorney Dominique Westmoreland, echoing the family’s frustration as they pursue legal action.
The case centers on allegations against Jonathan Alvarado, a volunteer piano player at La Mirada Heights Senior Living Community, who prosecutors say faces felony charges including rape and committing a lewd act on a dependent adult.
The victim’s daughter, Camyl Anderson, said she installed cameras in her mother’s room due to her condition. It was those cameras, she said, that revealed the alleged assault.
“When I had a chance to check my phone… I saw that there was a man in the room,” Anderson said, describing the moment she received motion-triggered alerts while at work.
According to the family, the footage shows the suspect entering the room, undressing, and later leaving after discarding a condom. Anderson immediately contacted the facility, prompting staff to check on her mother.
Beyond the criminal charges, the family’s lawsuit accuses the facility of failing to protect a vulnerable resident. “They helped him. They helped him do it, essentially. They opened the door for this to happen,” Anderson said.
The case has also drawn criticism of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with the family questioning the pace of prosecution and the lack of public disclosure about the case.
Prosecutors said the case underwent additional investigation before charges were filed in July 2025, with the defendant appearing in court earlier this year. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which led the investigation, reported no additional identified victims.
In a statement, the senior living facility said it is cooperating with authorities but declined further comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
The lawsuit underscores broader concerns about safety in elder care facilities, particularly for residents with conditions such as dementia, who may be unable to report abuse or protect themselves.
For Anderson and her family, the case is about accountability. “Justice looks like… the facility will be held responsible and liable for their negligence,” Westmoreland said.
