Authorities in southeastern Minnesota say a Rochester-area home-care nurse was caught on camera abusing a comatose patient he was supposed to protect. James William Mackey, 63, is now facing a slate of criminal charges and is being held on six-figure bail while both criminal and administrative investigations move forward.
Surveillance Video Allegedly Shows Repeated Abuse
According to court records, home-surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows Mackey plugging the patient’s nose during nebulizer treatments, slamming the bedridden man’s limbs onto the bed and inserting objects into the victim’s crotch, Post Bulletin reports. The complaint further alleges that Mackey used his finger to penetrate the patient’s rectum, improperly manipulated a tracheostomy and pushed a suction tube so far that the patient began to gag and gasp for air. Those incidents are listed in court documents as occurring on Nov. 22, 26 and 28, 2025. Mackey had reportedly been caring for the Kasson-area patient since January and told an investigator that some of the actions seen on video were his "little tricks," according to the paper.
Felony Charges Filed In Dodge County
Prosecutors in Dodge County have charged Mackey with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, felony criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult by a caretaker and three counts of gross-misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, according to reporting from KAAL. The station reports that Mackey appeared in court and is being held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center on $100,000 bail with conditions, or $150,000 without. Authorities say the charges follow reports made to state adult-abuse hotlines and a detailed review of the surveillance footage.
Employer Pulls Nurse From Schedule Amid Probes
Regency Home HealthCare has removed Mackey from all schedules while it conducts an internal investigation, according to the agency’s contact information, which lists its Austin office at 611 1st Ave SW, Austin. Regency Home HealthCare provides in-home nursing and respiratory services across Minnesota. Court filings referenced in the case note that the employer reported concerns to authorities, and the complaint also points to an "unusual number" of hospitalizations after the patient was in Mackey’s care, which helped trigger a closer look at what was happening in the home.
Expert Says Patient’s Life Was Put At Risk
A medical expert told investigators that several of the actions allegedly captured on video could have been life-threatening, KAAL reported. According to court documents and witness statements reviewed by investigators, there were repeated incidents that required hospital treatment after Mackey’s visits. Prosecutors note that if he is convicted, the charges carry penalties intended to safeguard mentally impaired and physically helpless adults.
State Tip Line Alert Sparked Local Investigation
The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center notified Kasson-area authorities on Dec. 2 after receiving tips about the patient’s treatment, according to Crime Online. Mackey appeared in court this week for an initial hearing and remains in custody pending further proceedings in Dodge County District Court. Prosecutors say they will present the full charging materials at upcoming hearings, while officials are holding off on additional public comment as the investigation continues.
