Authorities are continuing to investigate the
death of a mentally ill resident of one nursing home last week. The male resident, 57, died Thursday after an altercation with his roommate. Facility staff found the resident on the floor, unconscious and in
cardiac arrest, on top of his 55-year-old roommate.
The man’s roommate was taken to the hospital with injuries that
were not considered life-threatening, according to a law-enforcement source. The roommate was interviewed by detectives but
has not been charged with any crime. Authorities said the coroner’s
investigation could take several weeks and is considered part of an
ongoing criminal probe.
The incident is the latest case of
violence in nursing homes that admit high numbers of
psychiatric patients, including many with violent criminal
records. A recent investigation by the Chicago tribune documented numerous cases of
assault, rape and even murder at such facilities.
The resident, who
stood six feet tall and weighed more than 240 pounds, had surface
bruising but no internal injuries from the altercation. He had a long history of mental illness and arrests relating to threats against family members. ltercation
The facility — which
houses 26 felons among its 98 residents, according to the most recent
state Department of Public Health data — was recently given a “well below average” rating by federal health authorities for
overall quality. This is the lowest possible rating a home can be given. For more, read the story.
_______________________________________________________________
Robert W. Carter,
Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is dedicated to
protecting the rights of the victims of nursing home and assisted
living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Lynchburg,
Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.
