Nursing-home worker charged with assaulting patient, 85
(Published Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:26:52 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Associated Press
RACINE, Wis. - A nursing-home employee accused of twisting an 85-year-old patient's ear hard enough to draw blood was charged Monday with two felonies.
Amelia J. Clay, 20, of Racine faces charges of abuse and substantial battery with intent to do bodily harm, carrying a combined maximum penalty of nine years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
The reported attack occurred around 2:30 a.m. Friday in the TV room of Ridgewood Care Center in Racine, according to the criminal complaint.
Two employees told investigators they heard Clay yell at the male patient and then heard a physical struggle, the complaint said.
Later they saw the man, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, with blood on his ear, the complaint said.
The employees also saw blood on Clay's hand, but she told them the man scratched himself, according to court documents.
The man received 19 stitches to repair torn ear cartilage. He also had several lacerations to his ear that medical staff said could have been caused by a fingernail but could not have been self-inflicted.
The man told police the injury occurred when Clay twisted his ear.
