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A home caregiver was arrested in Sunrise, Florida, accused of sexually abusing an 86-year-old woman with dementia and short-term memory problems, local authorities reported.
The detainee, identified as Juan José Romero Ruiz, 39 years old, faces charges of sexual assault and lascivious conduct against a disabled elderly person. According to a police report cited by Telemundo 51, Romero Ruiz worked for the company Lovable Family Home Care, based in Pembroke Pines, and had been hired to provide home assistance to the victim at her residence in Sunrise.
The victim's grandson, who resides in Orlando, installed a security camera to monitor his grandmother's well-being. It was through this footage that he discovered the abuse, immediately alerting the family and the contracting company to demand that the worker be removed from the home, as detailed by Local 10 News. Later, upon reviewing previous recordings, the family member found evidence of another incident that occurred the day before.
According to the report by Local 10 News, the victim's lawyer stated that the family was always involved in her care and never suspected that something like this could happen. "They didn't leave her in a nursing home and forget about her. They sought a caregiver through her insurance, but they never imagined what would happen next," said the lawyer.
In the court hearing, a video recorded at the victim's residence was presented, showing Romero Ruiz committing the crime. "This behavior is clearly predatory," was heard in the courtroom.
The victim's lawyer also explained that the woman's grandson decided to hire a caregiver because his grandmother's condition had progressed to the point where he could no longer care for her on his own. "He placed her in an apartment in Sunrise so she could be closer to other family members," he said. However, less than two days after starting the job, Romero Ruiz was caught on video committing the abuses. "The grandson drove back to Orlando, checked his camera, and saw the individual involved in these acts. He called the company, they removed him from the house, and alerted his family," the lawyer added.
The Sunrise Police arrested Romero Ruiz at the headquarters of the home care company. He is currently being held without bail in the Broward County jail and under a detention order for immigration. Local 10 News reported that during the court hearing on Thursday, it was revealed that the defendant should not have been working in the care of vulnerable individuals and that authorities are now investigating whether there are more victims.
"What concerns me is that if he could act so quickly in this case, how many other people were under his care?" questioned the victim's lawyer.
The authorities in Sunrise have urged anyone who has been a victim of Romero Ruiz or who has relevant information to contact the Sunrise Police Department at 954-746-3499. Meanwhile, the victim remains under the care of their family.
In recent months, several cases of abuse, fraud, and violence have shaken the Hispanic community in the United States, particularly in Miami and other cities in Florida and Texas.
At the beginning of this month, a Cuban massage therapist in Doral was arrested after being accused of inappropriate touching of a 17-year-old during a massage session at the Trump National Doral. Days earlier, a couple from Miami was detained in Lehigh Acres after being accused of abusing a 13-year-old girl they met at a church. Both face multiple charges of sexual assault and lewd conduct against minors.
In February of last year, gender violence made headlines again when a man in Miami was arrested for beating and raping his pregnant wife, claiming that his "saints" told him she had been unfaithful. Similarly, in November 2024, another Cuban was detained for sexually assaulting his partner, marking her with a knife and subjecting her to hours of physical and psychological abuse.
Other crimes against the elderly have also been reported. Last month, Nilo Somoano was arrested in Miami for defrauding a disabled elderly woman, taking her house and her savings of $600,000. Just a few months prior, in the previous November, another man was arrested in Florida for posing as Elon Musk and defrauding a Texas woman out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the same year, in October, a Cuban in Miami was arrested after brutally attacking his elderly neighbor at a bus stop.
However, one of the most shocking cases occurred in Texas in early 2025, when a Cuban couple was arrested for sexually assaulting their one-year-old daughter and recording the abuse on video. Authorities discovered the material following a report on the TikTok platform, leading to the arrest of both individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of Abuse Against an Elderly Woman in Florida
Who is the accused of abusing an elderly woman in Florida?
The accused is Juan José Romero Ruiz, a 39-year-old home caregiver who was arrested in Sunrise, Florida, for sexually assaulting an 86-year-old woman with dementia. He worked for the company Lovable Family Home Care.
How was the abuse of the elderly woman in Sunrise discovered?
The abuse was discovered through a surveillance camera installed by the victim's grandson. The footage captured Juan José Romero Ruiz committing criminal acts, which led to his immediate arrest and removal from the elderly woman's residence.
What is the current status of the accused, Juan José Romero Ruiz?
Currently, Juan José Romero Ruiz is being held without bail in the Broward County jail and is under a deportation order. Authorities are investigating whether there are more victims under his care.
What actions can authorities take to prevent abuse by caregivers?
The authorities can implement stricter controls on caregivers' backgrounds and require more thorough references to prevent unqualified individuals from working with vulnerable people. Furthermore, promoting the installation of surveillance cameras and active monitoring by family members can be crucial in detecting and preventing abuse.
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