Police have arrested a woman suspected in a nursing home abuse case.
According to an arrest affidavit, the 21-year-old aide abused an 80-year-old woman on March 22, 2009.
One
of the nursing staff, the affidavit states, noticed the victim’s door
was closed and her help light was activated. The worker went to check
on the victim and saw the aide striking the resident on her left hand.
The worker then saw blood on the bed and reported it to the hall desk.
According
to the affidavit, other staff came into the room and saw bruising begin
to develop on both of the victim’s hands and arms.
The accused aide admitted to “popping the victim,” the affidavit states and to holding her hands down and trying to fight with her. For more, read the story.
This situation is a
terrible tragedy for the victims and families of the victims. When
someone makes the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing
home or assisted living facility, they should be able to trust that the
persons entrusted with their care will not intentionally abuse them.
Many residents are not capable of reporting abuse but still would be
traumatized by it. It is important to investigate any and all signs of
abuse and neglect.
________________________________________________________________
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.
