Nursing Home CEO Charged with Elder Abuse

A recent San Jose Mercury News article claims that a former chief executive officer of a Kern County nursing home has entered a not guilty plea to criminal charges. The charges involve her alleged consent to allowing staff members at the nursing home to forcibly drug elderly patients, including three who died. The woman entered her not guilty plea recently after the California Attorney General’s office charged her with eight felony counts of elder abuse. The state claims that she knew the nursing director at the Kern Valley Health Care District’s nursing facility in Lake Isabella had ordered high doses of drugs for dementia patients to make them more tranquil and easy to manage.

According to the charges, the alleged drugging and elder abuse occurred from September 2006 to January 2007. Also charged in connection with the case of elder abuse in February 2009, were the director of nursing, a pharmacist, and a staff physician. The woman, released on her recognizance, is now the CEO of a hospital in Fresno County.

Abusing the elderly is indefensible, particularly when the people committing the abuse are caregivers hired and paid to look after people who are no longer able to care for themselves. If you have reason to believe that someone you care for suffered or is suffering from elder abuse, California elder abuse lawyer Samer Habbas may be able to help. He will explain your options for legal recourse in a free consultation and then skillfully guide you through the legal process.