Workers accused of nursing home neglect

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Eight arrests were made connected to Williamsville Suburban Nursing Home, in Amherst.  Surveillance video reveals suspected neglect.

According to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo the investigation, along with surveillance video taken at Williamsville Suburban Nursing Home in Amherst, over a seven-week period revealed that staff routinely failed to properly transfer the resident in and out of bed, putting the resident at risk of injury.

Staff was required to use a mechanical lift with the assistance of two caregivers. Video footage also revealed that one aide failed to provide range of motion therapy and two nurses failed to administer insulin, provide skin and wound treatment, and failed to check the resident’s vital signs.

In addition, the resident's medical records show that employees falsified records to conceal the resident’s neglect and endangerment.

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>> Read Williamsville Suburban Nursing Home's response here

>> List and photos of those arrested

Two Licensed Practical Nurses and one Certified Nurse Aide were charged with Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (class E felony) in complaints filed in Amherst Town Court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison.

Five other Certified Nurse Aides were charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person (class A misdemeanor), with a maximum penalty of one year in jail.

The Certified Nurse Aide who falsified the resident's medical record failed to perform range of motion exercises on the resident's extremities, which were required to prevent muscle contracture.

Click for photos of the arrested individuals:

Deborah Groth, LPN, 61, Buffalo
Terri Brown, LPN, 37, Buffalo
Leslie Thompson, CNA, 61, Buffalo
Tweneboa Saow, CNA, 52, Buffalo
Linda Banks, CNA, 54, Buffalo
Laquita Jones, CNA, 25, Buffalo
Willena Bell, CNA, 49, Buffalo
Diane Handley, CNA, 47, Buffalo