File this one under “things you absolutely should not be doing at work.” A Florida careworker named Josalynn Janeice Hart has been arrested after allegedly twerking and harassing a disabled patient using her breasts. Yes, breasts at work around vulnerable patients. Somehow, this all happened in real life and not in a rejected sketch comedy script.
Hart was supposed to be doing her actual job. You know, caregiving, helping, supporting and being professional. Instead, she decided to turn the workplace into a one-woman performance, complete with dancing and unwanted physical behavior toward a disabled patient. And no, this was not part of any care plan approved by science, medicine, or common sense.
Authorities reported receiving a video that showed four women dancing inside the facility, which has not been named.
Hart could be seen dancing on a sink and twerking on a table, according to court documents.
At least two disabled patients were seated at the table while Hart performed, according to court documents.
The patients appeared to be nonverbal and incapable of providing consent, per law enforcement.
One of the other workers in the footage was spotted ‘placing her breasts in the face and also one leg’ on a patient as she danced.
Hart was not seen making direct physical contact with any of the disabled adults in the video.
The footage allegedly captured her watching another woman repeatedly make physical contact with a patient.
Meanwhile, Hart danced and twerked near the faces of two others but without touching them.
Consent is key here and since none of the patients gave consent to this unlawful entertainment, the cops had to step in.
Police reiterated that none of the victims appeared capable of giving their consent.
Hart was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition of an elderly or disabled person, as well as failure to report abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult.
The first charge could be a third-degree felony under Florida law, even if Hart did not appear to touch the patients.
Lewd or lascivious exhibition can include ‘the simulation of any act involving sexual activity.’
Hart’s second charge could be a second-degree misdemeanor, according to state law.
If so, she could be punished with up to one year in jail and fines for her actions.
On Wednesday, a judge released Hart from Bay County Jail on her own recognizance.
So here’s the takeaway. If your job involves caring for disabled patients, maybe don’t twerk, don’t harass and definitely don’t use your body in ways that violate someone else’s dignity. It’s a low bar, but somehow, it still needs to be said.
Another bizarre headline, another arrest and yet another reminder that common sense is not nearly as common as we hope.
