A housekeeper at a Missouri senior living community was charged July 25 with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, related to an incident involving a resident with dementia who lived in a memory care unit there.

Another employee reported seeing Maurice Newbill, 68, grope an 81-year-old resident in April at Bethesda Dilworth in St. Louis, according to parent company Bethesda Health. The community offers memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.

“Procedures were immediately followed to report the conduct to the police, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the resident’s family,” Bethesda Health told McKnight’s Senior Living. Newbill’s employment also was terminated immediately, Bethesda Health said.

“We at Bethesda Health Group value our reputation as a premier senior living, care and services provider in St. Louis, and we continually strive to provide a safe, secure environment for all of our residents and their families,” the statement from Bethesda Health said. “We are deeply sorry for the concern caused to the resident and family, and are grateful for our diligent employees and their commitment to the well-being of our residents.”

Bethesda Health said that it encourages employees to monitor resident care and safety and that it performs background checks before all employees are hired. The company said it will continue to cooperate with authorities as requested.