A Colorado health care worker has been arrested after a 92-year-old woman with severe dementia was found in a condition that raised concerns of elder abuse.
The elderly woman was discovered with two broken bones in her lower leg, leading to the arrest of Patience Jackson, a certified nursing assistant, and the pending arrest of another healthcare worker, Zainab Namale, a licensed practical nurse.
The Discovery of the Injuries
The investigation into the elder abuse began on May 9 when an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at Sky Ridge Medical Center after a report of suspected elder abuse. Hospital staff had raised alarms after discovering the elderly woman had fractures in both her shinbone and calf bone.
The woman had been transferred to the hospital from Orchard Park Health Care Center, a rehabilitation center about eight miles away.
What struck investigators as suspicious was that the woman’s injuries didn’t match the explanation provided by staff at Orchard Park.
According to the rehabilitation center’s report, no one knew how the injuries occurred, stating only that the woman had been found “screaming for help in terrible pain” while sitting in her wheelchair.
However, hospital staff believed the injuries did not align with the reported circumstances, which led them to suspect foul play.
Discrepancies in the Explanation
When questioned by investigators, both Jackson and Namale provided accounts of how the woman was injured. They claimed that the fractures occurred while the woman was sitting in her wheelchair.
Jackson stated that the injury happened while the woman was being moved from her wheelchair to her bed, with other employees suggesting the woman may have planted her feet, causing a twisting motion that led to the fractures.
However, hospital staff remained unconvinced by this explanation. A surgeon who reviewed the injuries stated that the fractures appeared to be a “clean break,” rather than a spiral fracture, which would have been more likely if the woman had been injured while being moved in the manner described.
The surgeon’s opinion contradicted the accounts of Jackson and Namale, casting doubt on their version of events.
Arrests and Charges
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Jackson and Namale were likely being dishonest about the cause of the woman’s injuries. Investigator VanCleave, who led the case, believed both healthcare workers were involved in concealing the truth about the victim’s injuries.
As a result, Patience Jackson was arrested and charged with criminal negligence, crimes against an at-risk person, and complicity—all felonies. She was taken into custody at the Arapahoe County Detention Center and held on a $2,500 bond.
Meanwhile, Zainab Namale, who was in Miami at the time, was issued an arrest warrant and given 24 hours to turn herself in. As of Thursday, it was unclear whether Namale had been arrested.
The Ongoing Investigation
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the investigation is still active, and authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the elderly woman’s injuries. It is unclear whether additional charges will be filed or if other individuals will be implicated as the investigation unfolds.
This case serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of elderly individuals, especially those with severe dementia, who rely on caregivers for their well-being.
The alleged actions of Jackson and Namale have raised significant concerns about the care provided to those who are most in need of protection.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial for authorities to ensure justice is served for the elderly woman and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
