State charges 18 SNF workers in connection with resident death

Eighteen workers from a Virginia skilled nursing facility have been charged with crimes ranging from neglect to falsifying documents in connection to a resident death, though details remained scant Thursday.

State Attorney General Jason S. Miyares announced charges against workers from the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Colonial Heights, VA, on Wednesday, following an investigation triggered by an elder abuse complaint involving a 74-year-old resident in October. 

The resident was hospitalized and later died from his or her injuries, according to CBS 6 news.

The case reflects a growing interest among law enforcement officials in charging individuals criminally for alleged lapses in care or potential fraud, even in cases where the federal government is tasked with regulation. In late 2023, five nursing home employees were charged with fraud and falsification of records, alongside the facility where they were leaders. All five were later found not guilty by a jury, although the company was convicted.

In the Virginia case, charges include seven counts of felony abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult, two counts of misdemeanor abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult, two counts of obstruction and 27 counts of falsifying patient records. Among the employees charged were Administrator Shawonda Jeter and nurse Danielle Harris.

“We are aware of the events that happened today and are cooperating fully with law enforcement,” a representative for the nursing home told CBS 6.

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News’ calls to Colonial Heights went unanswered, and outreach to an email address listed on the company’s website bounced back.

In 2023, more than 3,000 nursing home staff members in Virginia filed complaints with Adult Protective Services, alleging elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. To address this, Miyares announced the creation of the Elder Abuse Investigation Center for Central Virginia in June with hopes of helping local jurisdictions collaborate, investigate and prosecute instances of abuse. 

“This year marks the beginning of the largest surge of Americans turning 65 in our nation’s history. As our population ages, rates of elder abuse are expected to rise, but my office is proactively confronting this head-on,” Miyares said in a press release. “This new Elder Abuse Investigation Center represents a major step forward in my commitment to protect Virginia’s senior citizens and vulnerable adults.”

Several other local entities also have launched their own investigations, including the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Colonial Heights Police Department and the Virginia Department of Health.