A 59-year-old nurse aide was arrested on felony charges Thursday for assaulting an 80-year-old bedridden nursing home resident in Far Rockaway, according to officials.
According to court records, on or around Aug. 15, 2014, at the West Lawrence Care Center at 14-10 Seagirt Blvd., Marie Jeanty, a certified nurse aide, instructed the 80-year-old victim to move so that she could change the resident’s clothing and bed linens.
Jeanty allegedly then pushed and hit the resident multiple times in the arm and shoulder with a closed fist and forcibly pushed her into the side of the bed rail, causing the victim’s face to hit the rail. This resulted in the resident suffering from a black eye and significant bruising and swelling to her left arm, right temporal area and right orbital area, according to authorities. Her injuries were treated at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
“When New Yorkers place those who mean the most to them in a nursing home, they should have confidence that their loved ones are not in danger of severe physical abuse,” Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said. “My office will bring criminal charges against nurses who violate the trust of the residents in their care and their family members.”
Jeanty, who no longer works at the nursing home, has been charged with assault in the second degree; endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, or an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree; endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person; and willful violation of health laws.
If convicted, she faces up to seven years in state prison.
Jeanty pleaded not guilty during her arraignment Thursday in Queens Criminal Court and was released without bail.
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