Schneiderman: We Will Continue To Aggressively Prosecute Those Who Mistreat Elderly And Vulnerable Patients

This week, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the arrest of Adrian King, a certified nursing assistant (CNA), for hitting a 90-year-old female patient suffering from dementia. King is charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person or an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the Second Degree, Wilful Violation of Health Laws, and Harassment in the Second Degree.

According to the misdemeanor complaint, on or about May 16, 2014, defendant Adrian King, while working as a CNA at Wesley Gardens nursing home, a residential health care facility located in the City of Rochester, is alleged to have slapped a 90-year old resident who suffers from dementia in the face. According to an individual who witnessed the incident, the slap was loud and left a red mark on the resident’s forehead. The resident was startled and upset and immediately said she would report King.

“When a family entrusts a loved one to the care of a nursing home, they expect courtesy, kindness, and professionalism—none of which the resident received in this case, as we allege,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s charges reflect my office’s dedication to protecting our most vulnerable, including the elderly and the disabled, by ensuring that those entrusted to provide care to them will be held accountable when they violate that trust.”

King was arraigned before The Honorable Caroline Morrison in Rochester City Court and pled guilty to the charge of Harassment in the Second Degree. The guilty plea was taken in satisfaction of the charges faced. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 12, 2015.

The Rochester Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) began investigating this case when it received a referral from the Department of Health alleging that King had struck an elderly and disabled resident for whom she was assigned to provide care.

The case was investigated by Investigator Jason Rice, with assistance from MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator William Falk. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Criminal Investigations Catherine Wagner. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Bureau Chief Amy Held. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.