CENTENNIAL, CO – Authorities in Colorado announced the arrests of two women in connection with the alleged abuse of an elderly nursing home patient, according to KTTV.
The case involves a 92-year-old woman with severe dementia who was a resident at Orchard Park Health Care Center in Centennial. She was transported by ambulance last month to Sky Ridge Medical Center. Investigators with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said hospital employees noticed the victim had two separate broken bones in her lower leg, described as a tibia-fibula fracture.
Hospital staffers told sheriff’s deputies that the woman’s injuries were not consistent with the injuries stated in the report by Orchard Park Health Care Center. That report stated the victim was found sitting in her wheelchair, screaming for help in terrible pain, that no one had seen her fall, and they did not know what happened.
The sheriff’s office investigated the matter for several weeks and determined that two female employees of the nursing home were likely to have been untruthful about how the patient suffered her injuries. Investigators believe both workers were “complicit in their actions to hide the truth of what happened to the victim”, and that “the victim’s injuries occurred on May 8 and were caused by criminal negligence.”
After an arrest warrant was obtained for both employees, the two were taken into custody. 34-year-old Patience Jackson, a certified nursing assistant, was arrested at her home June 11 while 34-year-old Zainab Namale, a licensed practical nurse, turned herself in to the Arapahoe County Detention Facility the following day.
Both women are facing charges of felony criminal negligence, felony crimes against an at-risk person and felony complicity.
Officials said the ongoing investigation includes other employees at the nursing home and whether or not others were involved in this situation.
In its news release, the sheriff’s office stated, “If you ever encounter someone being abused, it is critical to take action. Please contact your local law enforcement or County Department of Adult Protective Services. Your prompt response can make a difference in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable citizens.”
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Unfortunately, cases of nursing home abuse are all too common, and occur when caregivers or staff members harm, distress, or traumatize vulnerable residents through their actions or lack of care. To protect your loved ones, it is important to understand the various types of nursing home abuse and recognize the signs.
Some of the most common types of nursing home abuse include:
-Physical Abuse: Physical abuse involves any action that causes bodily harm, pain, or injury to a resident. This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, or improperly using restraints. Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, fractures, or frequent hospitalizations may indicate physical abuse. In severe cases, physical abuse can cause permanent disabilities or even death.
-Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Emotional abuse happens when caregivers use words or actions to cause mental distress, fear, or anguish. This involves verbal insults, belittling language, intimidation, humiliation, and manipulation. Emotional abuse can have long-lasting psychological effects on victims, causing depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.
-Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse involves any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior directed towards a nursing home resident. This includes unwanted touching, fondling, rape, sexual assault, and inappropriate sexual comments or advances.
-Financial Abuse: Financial abuse refers to the exploitation or manipulation of a nursing home resident for monetary gain. This involves stealing money or possessions, forging signatures on financial documents, coercing residents to change their wills or power of attorney and using a resident’s funds without permission.
Let Us Help You Protect Your Loved Ones
When you reach out to FreeNursingHomeAbuseReport.com, our caring and knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process of reporting abuse to the appropriate authorities and connect you with local resources that can provide further assistance. We will also help you understand your legal options and, if necessary, connect you with experienced nursing home abuse attorneys who can fight for justice and compensation for your loved one. Fill out our simple contact form and let us provide the support and resources you need.
