A 23-year-old Quincy nursing assistant is under house arrest for allegedly beating four Alzheimer’s patients. On Friday, Kara A. Murphy pleaded not guilty to seven counts of assault and battery on a person over 60.
The alleged Quincy nursing home abuse incident reportedly occurred at the Atrium at Faxon Woods where Murphy worked. On August 8, she allegedly abused four elderly women and the nursing home facility has since fired her. A background check was reportedly conducted on Murphy prior to her hiring.
In one Quincy nursing home abuse incident, Murphy is accused of throwing a 92-year-old woman onto a wheelchair and slapping her on the forehead. In another alleged nursing home abuse attack, Murphy is accused of grabbing an 89-year-old woman by the jaw while she was having a bowel movement and making her sit on a toilet. Murphy is also accused of sitting on the lap of a 96-year-old woman and bouncing around on her lap. She also allegedly hit a 79-year-old resident on the shoulder after the patient struck her first.
A co-worker reported Murphy to police who apprehended her. The co-worker says that Murphy often yells swear words at the nursing home residents.
If convicted, Murphy could serve up to to 21 years in prison.
Alzheimer’s patients can be vulnerable to abuse. They may not be aware of what is happening and they may even forget that the abuse happened. This means that unless someone witnessed the abuse or neglect, the incidents may continue, causing injury, the deterioration of the resident’s health, or death.
Another Massachusetts nursing aide also recently pleaded not guilty to elder abuse charges involving another Alzheimer’s patient. 54-year-old Marie Michael from Medford allegedly assaulted, kicked, and punched an 83-year-old Alzheimer’s patient. According to witnesses, the victim’s roommate saw the attack.
Aide charged in Medford elder abuse, Boston Herald, August 15, 2009
Nursing assistant charged with elder abuse, UPI, August 15, 2009
Aide charged in Medford elder abuse, Boston Herald, August 15, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Alzheimer’s Association
Elder Abuse, Medline Plus