An 80-year-old patient at an Alabama nursing home was slapped and mistreated by a caregiver in August, police say, according to Al.com.
The former caregiver, Taneka Kiera Hopkins, is in jail after being charged with elder abuse in the second degree, Al.com reported. The patient was bedridden, suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, at the time of the incident, which occurred at the South Haven facility in Hoover, Alabama. The abuse occurred in mid August, police said.
“Her actions were appalling, awful and disturbing,” Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector told Al.com, about Hopkins. Hopkins was fired from her position as a certified nursing assistant after being arrested, according to Al.com.
“You expect the elderly, more than anyone, to be treated with dignity and respect,” Rector told Al.com.
The patient was unable to speak or care for himself at the time of the abuse. His family contacted the police after they suspected he was being mishandled. The police found ample visual evidence to confirm the abuse and issue a warrant, Al.com reported.
Hopkins, who had previously been arrested in 2011 for a domestic violence charge, surrendered herself to authorities, according to Al.com.
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The Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm represents clients in cases involving catastrophic injury caused by nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to provide proper care. If you believe your loved one has been harmed due neglect or abuse in a nursing home, take action and contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
