Duo Tied Woman To Recliner At Toms River Facility, Ignored Her: NJAG

The two employees of the Alzheimer's care facility have been indicted in the case, authorities said.

by Karen Wall

The two are accused of falsifying records, claiming they checked on the woman when they did not. (Shutterstock)

TRENTON, NJ — Two Ocean County residents have been indicted on charges that they assaulted a 93-year-old woman they were supposed to care for at a long-term care facility in Toms River, the state Attorney General's office announced Friday.

Maria Alcantara, 53, of Toms River, and Joseph Robles, 23, of Tuckerton, were named in a 10-count indictment returned by a state grand jury in July 2023, according to documents from the state Attorney General's Office.

The two worked at Alcoeur Gardens, a memory care facility in Toms River. They are accused of tying the 93-year-old woman to a recliner with a bedsheet between Jan. 13 and Jan. 15, 2023, and not checking on her, according to court documents. 

In addition, they are accused of falsifying the records to say they checked on her every 30 minutes when they did not check on her, according to state investigators.

Alcantara and Robles are jointly charged with eight counts, two each of neglect, criminal restraint, assault on an institutionalized or elderly person, and endangering, and each is charged with one count of destruction falsification or alteration of medical records, according to court documents. 

Both pleaded not guilty, the attorney general's office said.

The charges resulted from an investigation by the attorney general's Office of Insurance Fraud Prevention’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

"When we place our loved ones in the care of others, we rightfully expect that they will be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity," Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing the indictment ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. "Those placed in care facilities should not have to fear victimization. We have a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and we will advocate for them and prosecute those who exploit and mistreat vulnerable members of our society."

"We will not allow our elderly to be subjected to criminal abuse. Our loved ones deserve better," said Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia. "Criminal cases like these send a clear message that anyone who would harm and neglect individuals who need and deserve proper care and assistance will be brought to justice."

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated on June 15, when individuals, communities, and organizations join together to shed light on the signs and the forms of elder abuse.

An estimated 1 in 6 people aged 60 or older are subjected to some type of abuse, including psychological abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, and other forms of neglect. The abuse can often remain hidden because the victims are too afraid or embarrassed to seek help.

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Duo Tied Woman To Recliner At Toms River Facility, Ignored Her: NJAG