APD to close elderly abuse investigation

The Austin Police Department investigation will soon close regarding a nurse aide at Windsor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Duval in North Austin.

No charges are filed.

A 23-year-old Pflugerville certified nurse aide is accused of posting Snapchat videos of himself taunting an 83-year-old woman with a feather, making her smear feces on her face.

APD Detective Lee Knouse said he could not comment on the specifics of this case, but told us how they work cases like these.

He said social media sites, like Snapchat, are not always enough evidence for an arrest because the user could claim someone was using the account without permission.

But don’t let that stop you from alerting police to criminal acts.

“We would ask as a police department for you to be a good neighbor and reach out to the police department. If you can, retain any information. Save any video you can that would aid in a criminal investigation later,” said Knouse.

Austin Police do not typically handles cases regarding abuse allegations between facility workers and the elderly. The Texas Attorney General’s Office handles criminal matters. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) handles licensing regulations.

“Even though the police department may not have something with a criminal offense, that could land someone in jail, we want to make sure that the child or elderly is safe. the people who can do that would be DADS or other individuals we work with who could keep that individual safe,” said Knouse.

DADS confirmed their investigation is still open.

“Nursing facilities are required to follow regulations and statutes pertaining to offenses and criminal history checks,” said Kelli Weldon, Assistant Press Officer for the Texas Health & Human Services Commission, which is the state agency over DADS.

“Our regulatory authority is generally focused on the facility rather than individuals. Note: If an investigator confirms during an investigation that a nurse aide committed an act of abuse, neglect, exploitation or misappropriation of a resident or resident property the nurse aide will be referred to the Nurse Aide Registry for due process. If the at the end of due process the referral is upheld, the nurse aide’s certification will be revoked and he/she will be listed on the Employee Misconduct Registry as permanently unemployable in certain facilities in the state of Texas,” said Weldon.

KVUE reached out to the Texas Attorney General’s office Friday afternoon. They could not confirm nor deny an open investigation before this update. A spokesman said they will provide an update next week.

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APD to close elderly abuse investigation