Hartshorne Man, 47, Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Nursing Home Resident

Authorities have charged a man witnesses said went to a McAlester nursing home and sexually assaulted an elderly woman who suffers from severe dementia.

Darren Leon Zearley, 47, of Hartshorne, is charged with felony sexual battery in Pittsburg County District Court.

On Wednesday, a manager at Mitchell Manor Nursing Home told police an employee summoned her to a resident's room because she needed immediate assistance. When the manager entered the room, Zearley was sitting on the bed, with his hands inside a resident's shirt while he fondled her, a probable cause affidavit says.

The employees told Zearley he needed to leave the room, then called police. Zearley left the room and went to the cafeteria, where he was apprehended by officers, the affidavit says.

Zearley reportedly told police "the resident wanted him to come into the room and came on to him."

According to the arresting officer, when Zearley was being led out of the building in handcuffs, an angry employee of the nursing home had to be physically restrained from attacking him.

Zearley is being held at the Pittsburg County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 19.

In Oklahoma, a felony sexual battery conviction can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.