CORTLANDT MANOR, NY — A housekeeper at Yorktown Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has been arrested and charged with second-degree rape following allegations that he sexually assaulted an incapacitated resident, according to the Yorktown Police Department. Javier Barragan, 48, of Shrub Oak, was taken into custody on February 25, 2026, and now faces felony charges that could result in up to seven years in prison if convicted.
According to law enforcement officials, the incident occurred on February 21, 2026, when police responded to the nursing facility at 2300 Catherine Street at approximately 7:08 a.m. A certified nursing assistant discovered Barragan actively engaging in sexual intercourse with a resident who has severe dementia and lacks the capacity to consent, as reported by Halston Media Group. The nursing assistant's intervention ended the assault and led to the immediate investigation that resulted in Barragan's arrest four days later.
Barragan surrendered himself at Yorktown Police Department headquarters and was charged with second-degree rape, a Class D felony, and first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a Class E felony, according to multiple news outlets. At his arraignment before Judge Raniolo at Yorktown Justice Court, bail was set at $100,000 cash, $250,000 bond, or $250,000 bond with $750,000 partially secured bond. After failing to post bail, Barragan was remanded to Westchester County Jail. A temporary order of protection was issued to safeguard the victim, and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace praised the nursing assistant who discovered the assault, stating that she "spared the victim further trauma and helped bring the defendant to justice," as reported by Halston Media Group. According to the Yonkers Times, Barragan had been employed at the facility for approximately 20 years and had received multiple "Employee of the Month" awards during his tenure.
CMS Inspection History
Yorktown Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, located in Cortlandt Manor, maintains a four-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, placing it above average among the nation's nursing homes. The 200-bed facility received a three-star health inspection rating, a four-star staffing rating, and a five-star quality measures rating in its most recent federal assessment.
Federal inspection records show the facility has accumulated 21 deficiencies across eight inspections documented in the CMS database. The most recent inspection, conducted on August 28, 2025, identified two deficiencies: one related to ensuring accurate resident assessments and another concerning accident prevention and adequate supervision to keep residents safe from hazards.
Earlier inspections in January 2024 identified additional concerns, including violations of residents' rights to receive notices in a format and language they understand, maintaining a safe and homelike environment, and ensuring menus meet nutritional needs and are properly reviewed by dieticians. All documented deficiencies were classified as severity level D, indicating minimal harm or potential for actual harm.
According to the Yonkers Times, the facility underwent significant changes in recent years. Personal Healthcare LLC has operated the center as a for-profit entity since April 2018, when the bed count was expanded from 127 to 200 beds. The facility was designated a "Special Focus Facility" candidate by CMS on October 25, 2023, a designation reserved for nursing homes with persistent patterns of serious quality issues requiring intensive oversight.
Ownership & Operations
Yorktown Rehabilitation and Nursing Center operates as a for-profit corporation under Personal Healthcare LLC, which assumed ownership in April 2018. The change in ownership coincided with a significant expansion of the facility's capacity, nearly doubling the number of available beds to accommodate 200 residents.
At the time of publication, facility management had not issued a public statement regarding the arrest or the measures being taken to protect residents and prevent similar incidents. News 12 Westchester reported that the facility did not respond to requests for comment following Barragan's arraignment.
Resident Safety Concerns
Federal regulations require nursing homes to protect residents from abuse, including establishing policies to prevent, detect, and investigate allegations of mistreatment. Facilities must screen all employees and maintain systems to ensure resident safety, particularly for individuals with cognitive impairments who cannot advocate for themselves or report abuse.
The alleged assault highlights ongoing concerns about vulnerable resident populations in long-term care settings. Residents with dementia or other cognitive impairments face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse due to their inability to consent to activities or report inappropriate conduct by staff members.
Resources for Families
Families with concerns about the safety or care of loved ones in New York nursing homes can contact the New York Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-855-582-6769. The ombudsman program provides free, confidential advocacy services for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Additional support is available through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at 1-800-677-1116 or online at ltcombudsman.org. These resources can help families navigate complaints, understand resident rights, and access appropriate reporting channels for suspected abuse or neglect.
Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect in a nursing home should also contact local law enforcement and the New York State Department of Health's complaint hotline to ensure proper investigation and protection of vulnerable residents.
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