Two Nursing Home Employees Arrested for Alleged Abuse of At-Risk Resident
Denver, Colorado — In a disturbing case shedding light on elder care practices, two nursing home employees from Orchard Park Health Care Center have been arrested for allegedly abusing a 92-year-old woman with dementia. The individuals, identified as Patience Jackson, 33, and Zainab Namale, turned themselves in following an investigation prompted by troubling medical findings.
Charges Filed
Both employees face significant charges, including criminal negligence and crimes against an at-risk person, compounded by allegations of complicity in the abusive acts. Jackson was taken into custody on Wednesday, while Namale presented herself to authorities the following day.
Medical Investigation Unveils Truth
The investigation began on May 9, after the elderly resident was transferred to Sky Ridge Medical Center with two broken bones in her lower leg. Medical personnel at the facility expressed concern that the injuries were not consistent with the explanation provided by Orchard Park staff. According to the affidavit, the woman was found “screaming for help in terrible pain,” yet no one witnessed her fall.
An additional nurse speculated that the injuries might have occurred when the patient resisted being moved from her wheelchair, suggesting a potential twisting motion. However, medical experts disagreed, determining the breaks were clean fractures that would not have resulted from the reported scenario.
Conflicting Accounts
Both Jackson, a certified nursing assistant, and Namale, a licensed practical nurse, claimed the injuries occurred while the resident was seated in her wheelchair, asserting the woman moved a bed remote onto her legs, causing the breaks. This explanation was deemed implausible by hospital staff, further fueling suspicions regarding the veracity of the nurses’ statements.
Investigators concluded that both employees were likely not being truthful about the incident, leading to their arrests.
A Broader Concern
This case raises critical questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in nursing homes, a topic garnering increasing public attention. As the investigation unfolds, further details are expected, highlighting the imperative need for rigorous oversight in elder care facilities.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, continue to follow our coverage.
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