If a loved one or someone close to you is placed in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you expect that person will be safe, well cared for—and treated with dignity and respect. For the families of two patients in a Tennessee nursing home, that simply was not case.
The elderly patients at Appalachian Christian Village, an assisted living facility in Johnson City, were tortured with water by three certified nursing assistants (CNA). Why? Because the former staff members thought that torturing helpless patients would be “comical.” Did they think it was amusing when their actions directly contributed to the deterioration of at least one of the victim’s health?
Disturbingly, the mistreatment of our elderly is more common than the public realizes. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, various types of abuse may be occurring in up to 3 out of 10 elderly care facilities.
For the elderly victims at the Eastern Tennessee nursing home, the criminal justice system did not provide justice. The three CNAs, 39-year-old Rebecca Blevins, 22-year-old Jessica Ketterman and 20-year-old Jennifer Ketterman, pleaded guilty to two counts of willful abuse, neglect or exploitation of a dependent adult. However, the three women that committed these heinous acts will not serve any jail time—each received an 11 month, 29 day probation sentence.
Fortunately, the victims and their families may still be able get answers as to how and why this abuse occurred and hold all parties involved accountable. Although three three employees committed the physical acts of abuse, the patients’ well-being are ultimately the responsibility of Appalachian Christian Village’s owners. Through the civil justice system, the victims and their families may be able to seek justice, including seeking financial compensation.
If you suspect an elderly loved one has been subjected to abuse or negligent care in a nursing home, assisted living community or long-term care facility and would like free legal advice, please call me anytime at (423) 396-0720.
I also encourage you to read my free book, Choosing the Right Nursing Home for your Loved One.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
