Photo: Suspect Michael A. Shipe | San Rafael PD
SAN RAFAEL — A hospice nurse was arrested at a senior citizens apartment complex for allegedly raping a resident at an assisted living facility. Michael A. Shipe, 65, of Novato, is being held in custody at Marin County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.
Shipe who formerly worked for Cogir of San Rafael Memory Care was arrested by SRPD on May 10. He was taken into custody at 10:36 a.m., at Novato Village Senior Apartments on State Access Road in Novato.
A horrific offense occurred last September at the assisted care facility located on Merrydale
Road in San Rafael. A medical examination provided for a resident confirms sexual intercourse occurred. Subsequently gathered DNA evidence implicates Shipe as the suspected rapist. His genetic profile matches the rape evidence.
Shipe was booked on open charges at the county lockup. He faces one charge for raping a victim incapable of giving consent PC 261(A). His second charge is for cruelty on a dependent adult likely to cause great bodily injury PC 368 (B).
His arrest has prompted the California Department of Social Services to open an investigation of the assisted living facility in San Rafael. It is part of a corporation which operates a chain of similar healthcare facilities located in California and other states.
Shipe is scheduled to appear in court May 22 for his plea hearing.
