WECT TV6 - WECT.com - Wilmington, NC news and weather - Patient Abuse Charge Could Lead to Second Investigation

Patient Abuse Charge Could Lead to Second Investigation

JULY 26, 2006 -- The arrest of a Wilmington nursing home worker could lead to another investigation involving the facility itself and whether it followed procedures.

Nursing Assistant Brenda Harper turned herself in to police Monday to face charges of patient abuse. Detectives say she hit a 90-year-old patient in the head three times and swore at her.

The Oakdale Heights Senior Living Center fired Harper. A police investigation followed. Now authorities are questioning the facility's actions.

The state agency that oversees nursing homes says Oakdale Heights never filed a required report about the incident.

Harper was hired by Champions Assisted Living Center in Wilmington two weeks after being fired from Oakdale. Champions' Executive Director says Harper's background check was clear. She has now been suspended without pay.

The state says if Harper is convicted of patient abuse and neglect, she will be barred from working in any health care facility in North Carolina.

Reported by Kacey Gaumer