2 Nurses Aides Charged With Snapchatting Humiliating Videos Of Elderly Patients

Two nurses' aides have been charged with posting humiliating videos of their elderly nursing home patients online.

A judge told the women on Tuesday their acts were "beyond reprehensible," the Lowell Sun reported.

Sabrina Costa and Kala Shaniece Lopez, both 23 years old, pleaded not guilty to permitting abuse of an elderly person. Costa also pleaded not guilty to assaulting someone over age 60.

Prosecutors said the videos posted on Snapchat show patients ranging in age from 75 to 99 at the Wingate at Belvidere nursing home in Lowell.

Prosecutors said an 86-year-old woman was shown fully dressed on a toilet, being asked by one of the aides about her sex life and if she smoked marijuana. They said another video shows Costa climbing in bed with a 99-year-old woman and telling her she loves her while the woman asks to be left alone.

Police and the nursing home began investigating after someone reported the Snapchat posts in late July. Police said Lopez told them she and Costa were joking around.

Defense attorneys said Costa and Lopez have been fired and likely will have their certifications suspended.

Judge Ellen Caulo ordered the aides to have no contact with the nursing home patients and not to work with the elderly in a health care facility.

The women return to court Sept. 22.