Oakland County Sheriff investigators conferred with the county prosecutor’s office Monday concerning possible charges against a man accused of striking and otherwise abusing a 75-year-old area nursing home resident.
The 24-year-old Rochester Hills man was fired immediately after the Oct. 28 incident at Clarkston Specialty Care in Independence Township, but as of late Monday formal charges had yet to be filed.
The incident was reported by a Sterling Heights woman visiting her mother in the same room as the victim.
The witness said the suspect apparently did not see her sitting in the corner when he entered the room.
According to the witness, the caregiver asked the 75-year-old woman how she was doing. When she replied, ‘Good,? the man allegedly slapped her in the face and said, ‘No, you’re not.?
The witness said the man treated the woman roughly while changing her diaper and cleaning her. The woman, although partially paralyzed, did complain of being hurt in the process. When finished, the caregiver continued to slap the woman, the witness said.
When the woman yelled, ‘Stop hitting me,? the witness said she yelled at the man and left the room to get help.
According to reports, the director of nursing confronted the caregiver, who at first denied any wrongdoing. He subsequently apologized, however, and said he had not been getting much sleep lately.
The director of nursing immediately fired the man, and he was escorted from the building, reports said. He was gone when deputies arrived to take the report.
The director of nursing, who filed appropriate forms for the state, reported no visible injuries. According to Sgt. Matt Baldes, that means charges of abuse to an elderly person may not be allowed, leaving simple assault as the likely charge.