Police: Suspect admitted abuse

The male nurse is accused of recently assaulting a man who is partially paralyzed.

SANDUSKY (AP) — A nightshift nurse accused of raping a nursing home patient worked at as many as 10 nursing homes and told police he abused almost 100 patients over 20 years, authorities said Thursday.

John Riems, 49, faces charges of rape and gross sexual imposition, Perkins Township Police Chief Tim McClung said.

The chief said Riems told police that while he abused almost 100 patients he could remember specific information on about only about two dozen.

“Obviously, based upon his statement, he could face many more charges,” McClung said. “The best way to handle this is to interview the victims, interview the family members. To be sensitive, we don’t want to go into this and interview these people repeatedly.”

Riems’ attorney, Troy D. Wisehart, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Riems came to police attention on Saturday, after an alleged assault on a 55-year-old man as he lay partially paralyzed in his bed at Concord Care and Rehabilitation Center in this town about 50 miles east of Toledo. Police won’t say when the assault happened or what led them to be contacted.

McClung said Riems then told police the pattern of abuse began shortly after his career began in 1985.

“We are as shocked as anyone by the actions of Mr. Riems,” Concord Care Center of Sandusky said in a statement.

The center said it will not release any information about its patients and declined further comment.

Riems pleaded innocent on Tuesday to the charges and is due back in Sandusky Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31. He was held in the Erie County jail on $100,000 bond.