The former maintenance director accused of sexually assaulting two residents of a Farmington facility that caters to people with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss admitted to sexual contact with one patient to "make her feel human again," according to court documents.
Police said the victims include a 77-year-old woman as well as a 92-year-old woman and police began investigating when administrators of Arden Courts contacted authorities about the allegations on Oct. 21.
As police investigated, David Togninalli, 67, of Burlington, ultimately confessed to touching the 77-year-old in her "private area" at least three times, according to court documents.
At first, he denied it, but then said the woman had asked him touch her, claiming he was hesitant, but did it, court documents state.
"My feeling is, I did something for a person that just wanted to feel human again. I'm not proud of that but feel OK about making her feel that way," he said, according to the court paperwork.
When investigators asked him if he touched the 92-year-old, he said he was "buttoning up her blouse," and might have inadvertently touched her breasts because "his fingers don't work the way the should," the documents state.
The victim told police this was not the first time he had touched her breasts and wanted Togninalli out of her room, according to court documents.
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When staff took statements from Togninalli about the allegations, he denied them.
"I have done nothing wrong. I'm always friendly with the residents. They need someone to talk to and I'll sit with them in their room and listen," he wrote, according to the arrest warrant application. "I have done nothing inappropriate with any resident."
Togninalli went on to tell investigators that he had hugged residents and kissed them on the cheek, offering the explanation that human touch made the residents feel good, but maintained he never touched them inappropriately, the court documents state.
Upon further questioning, he told police that one resident had placed his hand on her breast for a brief moment.
Investigators obtained a warrant charging Togninalli with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree sexual assault and took him into custody at his home.
He was released after posting a $25,000 bond and police said no longer works for Arden Courts.
“The employee was terminated from the facility and systems were put in place to ensure safety of our residents. We have contacted our families and in-serviced our staff regarding the situation,” a statement from the company said.
Arden Courts released a statement, saying Togninalli was let go from his position.
Togninalli is due in Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 10.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Farmington Police at 860-675-2400 or leave a tip on the Farmington Police Department tip line at 860-675-2483.
