Son searches for answers in mother’s alleged assault

In her final year, Curliene Golden lost her ability to speak clearly and relied on a visual board with letters to communicate. On the morning of Sept. 5, 2018, she spelled out an unspeakable horror.

A hospice nurse at Governor's Glen Memory Care and Assisted Living Community found the 94-year-old widow that morning complaining of discomfort in her vaginal and buttocks area.

She spelled out that a man sexually assaulted her the previous night, her family alleges in a lawsuit. Her speech condition meant she couldn’t scream for help.

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Golden died six weeks later, and her son is left searching for an unknown attacker he believes violated his mother. “Seeing and knowing what my mom told me happened to her shouldn’t happen to any human being,” said John Golden.

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The lawsuit alleges that the facility’s inaction after his mother described the alleged crime allowed her attacker to escape investigative scrutiny. It took several hours before police were called, according to the family. The facility disputes that claim.

Forest Park investigators say they didn’t have enough evidence to pursue a case. The police investigation is open but inactive.

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Governor’s Glen officials said a review by the Department of Community Health found nothing wrong with the facility’s actions. Because complaints are confidential unless they are substantiated, the AJC could not determine what DCH may have done.

“We believe nothing happened,” said Dennis Stamey, an operating partner with Canopy Lifestyles, the Governor’s Glen management company. He also said the allegations are not reflective of the care provided.

“We do take every single resident’s well-being to heart,” he said.