The Fitchburg Police Department announced on April 29 that Julio Morales-Jarquin, 23, of Fitchburg, has been formally charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault involving elderly victims at a residential care facility.
The case stems from an April 26 report received by the department from a residential care facility in the 5700 block of Chapel Valley Road. Detectives completed their investigation and filed formal charges three days later. According to the Fitchburg Police Department press release, Dane County Sheriff’s Office records confirm Morales-Jarquin was booked into custody the prior day with an additional immigration hold noted by federal authorities. The case remains active with limited details released to protect the ongoing investigation and victim privacy, according to the department.
Incidents of sexual abuse among elderly residents in care facilities are a documented concern statewide. Wisconsin’s 2023 Annual Elder Abuse and Neglect Report recorded 74 reported incidents of sexual abuse among all elder abuse and neglect cases, representing 0.6 percent of total reports that year. Sexual abuse allegations occurred across various settings including nursing homes and other care facilities serving vulnerable older adults. Local authorities continue efforts to address risks to elderly residents in residential care environments, according to the report.
Nationally, more than 16,000 complaints of sexual abuse were reported in nursing homes and assisted living facilities over a recent three-year period to the Administration for Community Living. The National Ombudsman Reporting System recorded 1,816 complaints of sexual abuse in long-term care facilities during 2024 alone—a 60 percent increase from 2017—highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting residents across the country. Data underscore the need for continued vigilance in care settings nationwide, according to published statistics.
Morales-Jarquin remains in pretrial custody at the Dane County Jail following these charges. The Fitchburg Police Department maintains 55 authorized sworn officers and 12 civilian employees who deliver around-the-clock police services to city residents. The department focuses on community partnerships and protection of vulnerable populations including elderly residents in local care facilities as part of its public safety initiatives throughout Fitchburg and surrounding areas, according to department information.