by Ryan Graffius
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — State College Police say a local nurse assistant is facing elder abuse-related charges following a months-long investigation into allegations that she "forced" medication down the throat of a 90-year-old dementia patient.
Investigators say 49-year-old Chrystal Winters, of Three Springs, is accused of 'angerly' reacting to an alleged outburst from the victim --- who is a resident at the Embassy of Hearthside nursing facility, in Centre County.
According to the affidavit, police say the allegations of abuse reportedly stem from an early October incident at the facility, one that reportedly required the response of four nurses to the victim's room.
Investigators learned that on the day of the alleged incident, the 90-year-old victim was reportedly 'acting combative' and refusing to take her medication.
As additional nurses were called to the room to assist with the situation, police say that is when the victim reportedly scratched Winters' face and neck.
According to witnesses, police say the victim's outburst and alleged attack on Winters reportedly angered her, at which time she allegedly began 'forcing' the victim's medication down her throat and 'holding the victim's mouth shut."
Police note that Winters' alleged actions, according to health officials, were not only an apparent code of conduct violation, but that she also reportedly violated the 'proper scope of practice,' as CNAs are not permitted to give medication to patients.
Online court records show that Winters is facing misdemeanors for abuse of a care dependent person and is free without bail.
Full Article & Source:
PD: Local CNA accused of 'forcing' medication down 90-year-old dementia patient's throat
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