The preliminary investigation revealed that "photos and videos featuring residents in various degrading situations were exchanged within a Messenger group open between employees," said the prosecution in a statement.

Fourteen complaints were lodged.

Judicial information was opened on alleged cases of mistreatment in an Aveyron nursing home after the dissemination on social networks of degrading images of residents, attributed to members of staff, we learned from the prosecutor on Saturday.

The public prosecutor's office, which opened a preliminary investigation on August 4, decided on Friday to entrust the case to an investigating judge about a dozen offenses including violence against a vulnerable person and non-assistance to people in danger or harm to private life, said the prosecutor of the Republic of Rodez, Olivier Naboulet.

Photos from at least November 2019

The investigation, triggered by a complaint from the resigning director of the establishment, Frédérique Modolo, concerns alleged mistreatment inflicted on residents suffering from Alzheimer's at the La Rossignole nursing home in Onet-le-Château.

In a press release made public by France 3, Frédérique Modolo indicates having discovered at the end of July that staff members had been exchanging, since at least November 2019, photos of residents shown in degrading positions, accompanied by offensive comments.

Fourteen complaints were filed

The preliminary investigation revealed that "photos and videos featuring residents in various degrading situations were exchanged within a Messenger group open between employees," said the prosecution in a statement.

Two employees of the nursing home were placed in police custody in August but "deny the facts or deny them any degrading nature", further indicated the prosecution.

The ARS was seized on August 6, four of the employees concerned dismissed on August 12, the director resigned and the families of the protected units concerned informed on September 4.

The prosecutor requested the association France Victimes "to provide psychological support to residents, their families and staff not involved" while fourteen family complaints have been filed by relatives of the victims to date.