Nursing home staff accused of pepper-spraying 87-year-old patient with dementia.
Two employees at a New Jersey nursing home face serious legal consequences following an indictment related to an incident involving an 87-year-old dementia patient. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges on Tuesday against nurse Lisa Erikson, 56, and certified nursing assistant Joshua Benner, 34.
The charges against Erikson include aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and assault on an institutionalized elderly person. Both Erikson and Benner are also charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled adult. A third staff member involved in the incident has not been indicted, with charges against this individual subsequently dismissed.
The alleged incident occurred on March 19 at the Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Ocean County. It was reported that the elderly patient, who suffers from dementia, depression, and anxiety, was engaging in what staff described as destructive behavior, which included ripping out a computer mouse and a phone receiver from their cords and striking a nursing cart.
Prosecutors detailed that Erikson approached the patient and discharged her personal pepper spray at him from close range, as he attempted to protect himself. Following the first spraying, she allegedly applied the pepper spray a second time, leaving the patient in a cowering position on the floor. Reports indicate that after several minutes without assistance, the patient managed to crawl to his feet and moved into another resident’s room.
Subsequently, Erikson and Benner allegedly forced the patient back into his room and left him unattended until police and emergency medical services arrived approximately one hour after the incident began. Medical personnel treated the patient on-site before transporting him to a nearby hospital for further care.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin emphasized the importance of proper treatment for residents of adult care facilities, stating that they deserve respect, dignity, and appropriate care. He condemned any physical assault against residents, asserting that such behavior is intolerable and that the defendants will face accountability for their actions.
This incident raises critical concerns regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations in care facilities, highlighting the necessity for rigorous oversight and stringent measures to ensure the safety and well-being of elderly residents. The forthcoming legal proceedings will potentially address these serious allegations and examine the standards of care in such complex environments.
