A former Guthrie nursing home employee has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and elder abuse following a disturbing investigation into misconduct at Golden Age Nursing Home.
Jade Williams, 22, was sentenced Tuesday after a Guthrie detective, Williams, and her mother provided testimony in court. Williams, who showed emotion while reading from a prepared statement, received two 10-year sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).
The first charge includes eight years suspended, meaning she could serve up to two years behind bars. Then she will begin serving 8.5 mandatory years on the second charge which is required (85% crime) of her sentence before being eligible for release.
Williams was arrested in July along with Aubrey Granata, 22, and McKenzie Bolfa, 21, following a two-month investigation by the Guthrie Police Department. The investigation began after a former nursing home employee came forward with disturbing allegations against their co-workers.
Court documents reveal that Williams, Granata, and Bolfa exchanged Snapchat videos and photos showing residents in degrading and inhumane conditions. One video depicted an elderly resident lying on a bed wearing only a shirt and a diaper, with fecal matter on the sheets and socks. Another video showed a male resident lying nude from the waist down. Additionally, photos surfaced of deceased residents being mocked by the workers.
“It’s probably one of the saddest things,” Guthrie Police Chief Don Sweger said in a previous interview. “We take service to everybody very responsibly, but especially for those who don’t have a voice for themselves.”
As part of her sentencing, Williams must complete a drug offender work camp while in DOC custody, undergo drug and alcohol evaluations and follow all recommendations, submit to random drug testing, undergo a mental health evaluation and follow all recommendations, obtain employment or enroll in school, complete 300 hours of community service upon release, address fines and court costs within 180 days of release.
Meanwhile, Granata and Bolfa have pleaded not guilty in their cases and are expected back in court in March.
Golden Age director, Tandie Hastings, issued a statement, last year, in response to the allegations: “Golden Age Nursing Home endeavors to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Upon receiving information related to certain allegations against its employees, the facility began working with local law enforcement and other appropriate authorities to respond. The employees involved had cleared background checks, were educated related to resident’s rights/safety, and have been terminated from employment. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of the residents and families involved and will continue to keep them updated with any developments related to this matter.”
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Former nursing home worker sentenced to jail for elder abuse; cases continue for two other suspects
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