Two female certified nursing assistants who worked at the Prairie View Residential Care Facility in Fayette, Iowa, were arrested and charged for allegedly having a sexual relationship with patients, according to The Washington Post.
Here are six things to know.
1. Local law enforcement said in a statement two "court ordered" patients at the psychiatric and substance abuse treatment center were reported missing Feb. 21. On Feb. 25, they learned the missing patients were seen with the certified nursing assistants, who have been identified as Paige Lynn Johanningmeier, 23, and Megan Marie Penney, 26.
2. After an investigation, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said evidence showed Ms. Johanningmeier and Ms. Penney "had developed a relationship with the two patients and once they had left the facility it became sexual."
3. The certified nursing assistants were arrested and charged at the beginning of March with sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist or school employee, according to local law enforcement. They were released on bond the same day.
4. Ms. Johanningmeier and Ms. Penney could face five years in prison and have to register as a sex offender if convicted of the class D felony, according to local law enforcement.
5. Both missing patients were found by authorities. The sheriff's office said one went to a hospital in Linn County, while the other went back to the Prairie View Residential Care Facility for treatment.
6. The Prairie View Residential Care Facility told the Des Moines Register the two certified nursing assistants were no longer employed at the facility. An attorney for Ms. Johanningmeier declined the Post's request for comment. The publication was unable to immediately reach an attorney for Ms. Penney for comment.
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