SPIRIT LAKE - A male caretaker at a Spirit Lake assisted living facility was arrested Saturday amid sexual misconduct allegations involving two bedridden elderly women residents at the center.

Phillip Ray Smalley, 49, Spirit Lake, was arrested at his home without incident on two counts of forcible sexual penetration by use of a foreign object and two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult.

The women at Rose Terrace Country Homes, 5672 W. Rhode Island, are 102 and 82.

"Both of these ladies are bedridden, Hospice patients," Spirit Lake Police Chief Keith Hutcheson said.

Smalley is being held at the Kootenai County jail on a $100,000 bond.

Rose Ann Mikesell, owner of Rose Terrace Country Homes, said the facility is following care center regulations and protocol in the case.

"We're doing what we're supposed to do under state law in this case," she said. "Now it's up to the proper authorities. It's obvious that authorities are doing what they need to do."

Hutcheson said Smalley has been a night shift caretaker at the facility for six weeks, but the suspect told police that he has been working as a caretaker at senior facilities since 1986.

"We don't know if there's more victims, but if there are, they or their families should contact their local law enforcement," Hutcheson said.

This is the first time that Smalley has been booked into the local jail.

Hutcheson said police received a report of a possible sex offense at Rose Terrace on Aug. 14. When an officer responded and contacted family members, another allegation involving a different resident surfaced.

An advocate for Post Falls Police's OASIS women's shelter, which assists rape victims, interviewed the alleged victims.

"The evidence found (during the investigation) was very strong," Hutcheson said. "What we found through the medical exams is evidence that only the victims would know about."

Bryant Bushling of the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office reviewed the case and a search warrant was issued. First District Judge James Stow approved the warrant.

Hutcheson praised Officer Dennis Sanchez for putting the case together.

"It was an outstanding group effort," Hutcheson said.

Hutcheson encouraged families to be diligent about continually checking in with their loved ones about the care they are receiving at area facilities no matter what the reputation of that center is.

"There's a lot of great places out there, but you should always be cognizant of what's going on," he said.