BENTONVILLE -- The owner of an assisted-living facility in Benton County was arrested Tuesday on accusations of sexually abusing two female residents.
Angel Floro, 68, of Bentonville was arrested on accusations of rape and sexual assault in the second degree, both felonies. Floro was being held Tuesday in the Benton County jail with no bail set.
Floro owns New Adams House, which has 22 residents, according to a Bentonville police news release. It is at 101 Angel Floro Drive.
Bentonville police are investigating five episodes at the facility that involve Floro, the release said.
Amy Webb, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, said the department received a complaint concerning sexual abuse immediately after the police were notified.
"We initiated an investigation, but at this moment are standing back so as not to interfere with the criminal investigation that law enforcement is conducting," Webb said. "We are monitoring the facility -- sending in surveyors at least weekly -- to be sure the facility is meeting residents' needs."
Bentonville police responded to a March 9 report concerning the possible sexual abuse of female residents by a male employee, according to the release. A female resident reported Floro entered her room and touched her in a sexual manner March 8, the release said. She said two similar episodes occurred at the facility, the release said.
The woman's boyfriend also told police he saw Floro touch the woman inappropriately and confronted Floro in his office, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The woman also said Floro touched another resident in a similar way, but that woman said the allegations were not true, according to court documents.
Another resident told police Floro had touched her inappropriately, according to the affidavit. The woman also reported that she later signed a document that recanted her statement, but signed it because she feared she would no longer be allowed to live in the facility, according to court documents.
A man who has lived at the facility for three to four years reported he saw Floro touch two women. One woman was a custodian at the facility; the other was the first woman in the initial report, according to court documents.
Floro denied the allegations when interviewed by police. He admitted he hugged residents but denied he was ever inappropriate, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors have not filed charges against Floro.
Floro's arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 6.
State Desk on 04/22/2016