Sex Offender Accused of Molesting Fellow Resident at Palm Harbor Nursing Home

A registered sex offender who lives at a Palm Harbor nursing home is accused of molesting a disabled man who also lives there.

Bobby Lee Jones, 68, is charged with one count of felony lewd and lascivious battery of an elderly or disabled person. 

The alleged incident happened around 1 a.m. on March 19 at the Countryside Rehab and Heath Care Center located at 3825 Countryside Boulevard N. in Palm Harbor. The victim said that Jones went to his bedside and fondled him against his will. Because of the victim's disability, he was unable to get away from Jones, according to an arrest affidavit.

Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies arrested Jones the following day. "We were notified of an incident by an employee," said Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Manager Cecilia Barreda. Barreda also says there are no other open investigations at the facility.

So far, Countryside Rehab and Heath Care Center has declined to comment about the alleged incident. "We're not issuing a statement at this time," said a woman who answered the phone on Friday afternoon. The Countryside Rehab and Heath Care Center is operated by the Consulate Health Care system.

Jones was convicted of having unlawful sexual activity with a minor in Pinellas County in May of 2008, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website. The Florida Department of Corrections website says Jones was released from prison on Dec. 1, 2008. The FDLE website shows Jones' permanent address as 3825 Countryside Blvd. in Palm Harbor as of Dec. 16, 2011.

Current law allows assisted living facilities to decide whether to admit individuals into their facility, including if applicants are classified as a sexual offender or predator. 

"A decision must be made by the facility administrator on a case-by-case basis," according to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration website. The website also says that assisted living facility administrators can use the FDLE database to screen potential residents. 

Jones is being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $20,000 bond, as of Friday, March 22.

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