Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

On July 27, 2009, Sandra Whitehead was ordered to pay in excess of $600 in fines and court costs and to complete 40 hours of community service for her role in a patient injury at a Mississippi nursing home.

Whitehead pleaded no contest to misdemeanor neglect at Jaquith Nursing Home in Whitfield, Mississippi. Whitehead was working as a licensed practical nurse at the facility when she failed to properly assess a resident after a fall and failed to notify the resident's physician and family. The resident, who sustained a broken clavical and several broken ribs due to the fall, suffered pain from the incident and was unable to communicate with staff. Whitehead also failed to follow nursing and facility guidelines for documenting falls.

Tashnika Madison, a CNA at Silver Cross Nursing Home in Brookhaven, Mississippi, allegedly used her forearm and pushed against the back of a nursing home resident's neck while she was placing her in a mechanical lift. Fortunately, the resident was uninjured and was only shaken up.

Madison pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor abuse of a vulnerable adult and was ordered to pay a fine of $268.50.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Three Jackson, Mississippi women pled guilty to crimes against a nursing home resident this week. Ashley Showers, Brittan Slaughter, and Jamise James each pled guilty in a scheme in which the resident's social security card and driver's license was stolen and used to obtain credit cards, cell phones and other merchandise. Slaughter cooperated in the investigation and received probation and a $500 fine. Showers and James were given sentences of five years, with four years suspended, and ordered to make restitution.

Sadly, the victim in this incident died before the women were sentenced.

Nicole Williams, a former CNA at Manhattan Nursing Home in Jackson, Mississippi, pled guilty felony abuse of a vulnerable adult. Williams struck an elderly female resident in the eye while employed at the facility. She was sentenced to five years supervised probation and assessed a $1,000 fine. Her CNA license has been suspended for five years and she can reapply for her license at the end of that time.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Mary Lowery, a former nurse aide at Attah County Nursing Center in Kosciusko, Mississippi, pled guilty on February 11, 2009 to five counts of petit larceny and must repay nearly $1,300 in fines and court costs. Reportedly, Lowery took personal items from the residents of Attah County Nursing Center, although the specifics of her theft have yet to be released.

Nicole A. Williams, a CNA at Manhattan Nursing Home in Jackson, Mississippi, was arrested on December 8, 2008 for her role in abusing an elderly resident. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $1,000.00 fine for her role in abusing an elderly resident. Williams, allegedly struck an elderly woman in the eye.

Two licensed practical nurses (LPN) at Graceland Care Center in New Albany, Mississippi face criminal charges for elder abuse. Cynthia Hunt faces two felony charges of abuse after a grand jury indictment. She is accused of "pouring aftershave on the genitals of a patient" and administering medication that caused pain. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 40 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Kathy Brooks, a second employee, is accused of taking hydrocodone that was meant for more than one patient. Hydrocodone is a strong pain medication. She faces one to five years in prison if convicted.

Attorney General Jim Hood said, "Any person found guilty of torturing a disabled person or stealing their pain medications leaving them to suffer should receive little mercy for such sinful crimes."

Hattie Baldwin, 49, was arrested on September 15, 2008 by investigators with the Attorney General's office. She has been indicted by the Hinds County grand jury on a charge of fraud against a nursing home resident. She is charged with forgery in the amount of $1,500.00. Her victim? A resident of a Madison nursing home, whom she did not even know. If Baldwin is convicted, she faces a prison sentence between two and ten years. She could also face a fine of $10,000 or face both a fine and a prison sentence.