Nursing assistants accused of having sex with runaway psychiatric patients

Two licensed nursing assistants working at the Prairie View Management Facility – a psychiatric facility and substance abuse treatment center in Fayette, Iowa – are accused of having sexual relations with two of their patients.  An investigation revealed as much when the two male patients had absconded from the facility in late February.  It was only several days after the investigation into those missing patients commenced that deputies with the Fayette Sheriff’s Office learned that the missing patients were seen with two nursing assistants from the facility, according to a release from the Fayette Sheriff’s Office.

Those nursing assistants were identified as Paige Lynn Johanningmeier, 23, of Elgin, and Megan Marie Penney, 26, of Clermont.

An investigation showed the two nursing assistants developed relationships with the patients. After leaving the facility with the patients and harboring them, they had sexual relations with them, according to court documents.

The patients were at the facility under court order because of mental illnesses.

Both of the nursing assistants were arrested on March 6 and charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or school employee.  ~ The Des Moines Register

If convicted of those class “D” Felonies, Johanningmeier and Penney could each face five years in prison and be required to register as sex offenders for 10 years upon their release.

Both of the patients were safely recovered by deputies. One patient was taken to a hospital in Linn County and the other was returned to Prairie View for treatment. Penney and Johanningmeier each posted a $2,000 bond and were released on the same day as their arrests.

For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.

https://youtu.be/yhWV7BLg5ak

~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter