A now-former nursing assistant at a Bristol Township nursing home was charged Thursday with neglect of care, simple assault and harassment in connection with alleged January incident involving a resident.
Police wrote in court documents that certified nursing assistant Peggy Wheeler, 65, of Bristol Township, got in a physical altercation with a female resident. The resident was left with scratches and bruising to her upper chest and eye area. She also was reported to have suffered a bloodied nose and lip.
Advertisements
An officer was called to the Silver Lake Nursing and Rehabilitative Center on Tower Road on January 11 at 1 p.m. for reports of the alleged assault.
The resident told the officer she called a food service worker to complain about a her meal and the general lack of care she felt residents of the facility were given. The resident spoke to the employee in an “aggressive manner by speaking in a loud tone,” according to court papers.
Wheeler reportedly overheard the resident speaking on the phone and then confronted her, police said. Court papers state the two got in a screaming match and the resident threw a chocolate milk carton at Wheeler’s head. Wheeler then allegedly got in the resident’s face and said, “Do you see my name badge? Do you know who I am?”
Advertisements
The argument escalated when the resident grabbed Wheeler’s name badge. The certified nursing assistant then grabbed the resident’s chest tubes and began punching and grabbing the resident, with the resident pulling on the 65-year-old’s wig and kicking her.
A food service employee tried to stop the two women from fighting with verbal instructions but neither listened, police said.
Advertisements
Michael Ewing, a spokesperson for the nursing and rehabilitative center, said Wheeler is no longer employed at the facility but would not release more information. He also said the incident was an “isolated” one and facility staff responded appropriately following the alleged assault.
Court documents do not state why it took police several months to file charges in the case.
Wheeler was charged via mail summons and is set to have a preliminary hearing on April 30.
Advertisements
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
