Scottsdale assisted living worker accused of sexually assaulting a patient

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – A medication technician at a Scottsdale assisted living facility has been arrested and is accused of sexually assaulting a resident diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

What we know:

The alleged assault was caught on video using a camera meant for family to check in on their loved one.

Forty-three-year-old Gabriel Garcia was hired at Scottsdale Village Square at the end of December, but then was suspended the following month.

Garcia, a medication technician, is accused of sexually assaulting a 78-year-old resident at the Scottsdale assisted living facility on Jan. 28.

He was scheduled to return to work on Jan. 29, but he was told he was suspended due to an ongoing investigation.

“Allegations against you are one count of sexual assault, a class 2 felony, and one count of vulnerable adult abuse. It is a class 4 felony,” the judge said.

According to court documents, the victim’s son saw the sexual assault take place using a live feed camera. The son reported it to the facility, which then reported it to the police.

Records show the victim was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s. When questioned, she told police she was unaware of what had happened.

Garcia was arrested days later and reportedly admitted to his actions once he saw the photos. He allegedly told police it’s been difficult at home raising an autistic son and explained how that’s interfering with his marriage.

“If you post that bond, and you’re released on that ankle monitor, you cannot have any contact with the alleged victim, you cannot possess drugs without a valid prescription, and you cannot be unaccompanied with a vulnerable adult,” the judge told him.

Dig deeper:

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Garcia is also accused in another sexual assault case that happened in March at Fountain Hills Post Acute.

MCSO is investigating, but no charges have been filed. 

What’s next:

FOX 10 reached out to Scottsdale Village Square for comment on this employee, but have yet to receive a response.

Crime and Public SafetyScottsdaleNews