SAN DIEGO — A parolee accused of sexually assaulting an 88-year-old woman at a Hillcrest nursing home just two days after being released from jail for an unrelated drug charge pleaded not guilty to rape, elder abuse and other felonies on Wednesday.
Lusean Arline, 48, was arrested Monday in connection with the alleged Oct. 27 sexual assault at the Balboa Nursing & Rehab Center.
Arline allegedly entered the nursing home around 3 a.m. and was found completely nude on top of the victim in her bed.
"The suspect was completely naked and the victim had been disrobed as well," said Scott Pirrello, Deputy District Attorney Head of Elder Abuse Prosecutions.
How Arline allegedly entered the facility remains under investigation, but Pirrello said it's believed he got in through an unlocked door. Balboa Nursing and Rehab would not elaborate on whether the door was locked.
Staff heard the victim and her roommates screaming and entered the room, prompting Arline to run away, the prosecutor said. The victim, who suffers from memory issues, broke her arm in the attack, according to Pirrello.
Arline was identified as the suspect through "evidence left at the scene'' that was submitted to the FBI Combined DNA Index System. Police then tracked down Arline with help from the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, SDPD Lt. Carole Beason said.
The prosecutor says Arline is homeless and did not know the victim.
“This case represents the absolute depths of humanity," said Pirrello.
Pirrello said Arline has a prior conviction from 2017 for following two elderly women home to their apartment and exposing himself to the victims.
Following his release from prison on Oct. 10, Arline was arrested in Chula Vista for a misdemeanor drug offense and jailed until Oct. 24, the prosecutor said. The suspect allegedly committed the sexual assault three days later.
Arline faces life in prison if convicted of the latest charges. Arline, who's being held in lieu of $2 million bail, is due back in court Nov. 18 for a readiness conference.
An administrator from Balboa Nursing and Rehab responded to News 8 in an email on Tuesday evening:
“We are grateful authorities have apprehended a suspect who entered our community illegally and assaulted one of our residents. Our thoughts remain with the resident and the resident’s family, and we will continue to cooperate fully with officials as they investigate and seek justice for this individual. We will continue to stay in close contact with the resident and the resident’s family and provide support and help in any way. We are committed to doing whatever necessary to help ensure the safety of residents, families, staff and visitors to our community at all times. Out of respect for the resident and the resident’s family, as well as the authorities’ investigative process, additional comment at this time would be inappropriate.”