The Case FOR Granny Cams: Philadelphia Nursing Home Resident's Abuse Caught On Video
Many jurisdictions prohibit the use of hidden surveillance cameras ("granny cams") in nursing home resident rooms because of employee privacy rights. After reading the article and watching the video associated with this matter, I think granny cams should be installed in every resident room. After all, it is the resident's room.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Paul French initially went to police in March 2011 to report suspected abuse of his seventy-eight year old mother-in-law, who suffers from severe dementia, while a resident of the Quadrangle Assisted Living Facililty. The woman told her daughter and son-in-law that she was being slapped and punched by facility staff. The victim's family reported the alleged abuse to facility administrators, who informed the family on March 14 that the allegations were unfounded and attributed her accusations to her dementia. But, her family wasn't so sure.
Five days later, visible bruising was found on the elderly woman's wrist and left hand. Rather, than report it to facility administration, the family photographed the injuries and installed a surveillance camera in the woman's room. The camera, disguised as a clock, vindicated the elderly woman three days later.
On March 31, 2011, the camera filmed three employees entering the woman's room as she was dressing. As the woman pulled a shirt over her head, Samirah Traynham, a facility employee was seen grabbing the shirt and putting her left hand under the shirt near the victim's face. Then, she was filmed hitting the woman in the face and head and shoving her onto her bed. Another employee danced around while holding onto the post of the woman's bed. The elderly woman repeatedly tried to escape her attackers. Every time, they pulled her back into her room while mocking and laughing at her while she stood naked from the waist up, trying to cover her breasts.
Paul and Mary French came to visit with her shortly after the attack and the woman was "overly upset and agitated". They took their suspicions to a certified nursing assistant, who confirmed three employees had entered the victim's room - against facility policy. That nursing assistant provided the names of the attackers to police.
Twenty-two year old Samirah Traynham and twenty-one year old Tyina Griffin have both been arrested and charged with aggravated and simple assault, neglect of a care dependent person, reckless endangerment, and harassment. A third "person of interest" is being sought and police expect more charges to be filed in the incident.
Sadly, abuse of defenseless elderly residents at the hands of nursing home employees is more common than you think. The Terry Law Firm has handled many cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. Some signs to watch for if you suspect your loved one may be suffering abuse or neglect at the hands of nursing home facility staff are:
- Unexplained bruising or crying or other emotional outbursts
- Signs of depression
- Unexplained fear - often of just one individual
- Withdrawal from activities normally enjoyed
- Clinging to visitors or family members
Take time to listen to your loved one and watch their reactions. If you suspect that abuse or neglect may be occurring, contact Illinois and Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorney David Terry for a FREE, no-obligation consultation toll-free at 1-888-317-2525 or 314-878-9797.
