A Sequoyah County jury has convicted a Muldrow man of two counts of abuse by caretaker for crimes committed against two elderly dementia patients at a local nursing facility.

Robert P. Seward, 25, was originally charged on Feb. 27, 2024, with two felony counts of abuse by caretaker and two felony counts of sexual battery.

The charges stemmed from a Roland Police investigation after witnesses reported seeing the certified nursing assistant touch two female residents inappropriately while on duty.

Court documents revealed the women, both non-verbal dementia patients, were unable to advocate for themselves.

According to the original probable cause affidavit filed in the case, a witness reportedly told authorities that Seward was touching a female patient inappropriately while not wearing any gloves.

Seward told the witness he was giving the patient a bath, even though he didn’t have any bathing supplies on hand. Another witness said they saw Seward put his hands inside another female patient’s undergarment, also while not wearing gloves.

During the two-day trial held this week, jurors reviewed the evidence and found Seward guilty of both caretaker abuse charges. They recommended he serve 10 years in prison on each count. The trial was presided over by Associate District Judge Kyle Waters, who will formally sentence Seward on November 6.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Stacey Slaughter and Chance Jones.

“It’s an honor to be able to speak for those who do not have the ability to speak for themselves,” Slaughter said following the verdict.

District Attorney Jack Thorp praised investigators, jurors and prosecutors.

“These victims are suffering from a terrible disease and were unable to tell the jurors in their own words what was done to them,” Thorp said. “I’m proud of the work done in speaking for the victims and fighting for justice.”

Each count of caretaker abuse carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both. The sexual battery charges remain pending.