COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was accused of raping an 81-year-old dementia patient at a nursing home while he was employed as a certified nursing assistant has pleaded down to lesser charges.

Joseph Hull, of Jefferson City, was originally charged with first-degree rape and first-degree sexual conduct with a nursing facility resident. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of misdemeanor elderly abuse.

He was sentenced to a year in jail, but an order for his release was filed on Tuesday after he was given credit for 730 days of time served, court filings show.

Hull was charged with two felonies in May 2024.

According to the probable cause statement, a witness stated that the sexual assault was recorded and provided the recording to law enforcement. One of the witnesses says the victim often calls other men by her dead husband’s name, including Hull.

Hull allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he had intercourse with the victim and knew it was illegal for him to do so, the probable cause statement says.

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