TILDEN TWP., Pa. – A staff member employed at a senior nursing and rehabilitation facility is accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in his care.
Tilden Township Police have charged 52-year-old Michael Siaway with one count of indecent assault.
On January 21 of this year, police were called to the Laurel Center in the 100 block of Holy Road, Tilden Township, for a reported sexual assault involving a patient and staff member.
Court documents state that the 83-year-old victim was at the facility due to a physical disability and did not suffer from any cognitive issues.
The victim told police she was in her room the previous evening getting ready for bed when the caregiver assigned to her, later identified by police as Siaway, came in to change her and clean her up.
While cleaning her, Siaway allegedly touched the victim’s genitals in a sexual manner, made a sexual gesture with his tongue at her and asked the victim if she enjoyed it. Court documents state the victim allegedly told Siaway not to say that again.
When interviewed by police, Siaway allegedly told investigations he did change and clean the woman and that he asks a lot of patients if it feels good when cleaning them in those areas.
Police also allege Siaway told them he has some kind of condition with his lip and, as a result, he licks his lips a lot. A detective noted he did not notice any condition that caused Siaway to stick his tongue out of his mouth and move it in a way that would appear sexual in nature during the suspect’s interview with police.
The victim reiterated to police two days later that, beyond a doubt, she was certain Siaway’s actions were sexual in nature and went beyond the scope of him providing medical care.
Online court records list Siaway as due in court for a preliminary arraignment on February 23.