Former Nursing Home Worker Charged with Severe Elder Abuse in Death of Resident

A former nurse at a nursing home in Indiana has been charged with criminal elder abuse in the death of a 77-year-old resident.

Kathy Hess, who worked at the Woodlawn Hill Care Center, faces multiple criminal elder abuse charges in the death of resident Dionne Scalf.

An autopsy concluded that Scalf died from a broken vertebra.

“Very compelling evidence that shows Kathy’s responsible for the death of Ms. Scalf,” Dearborn County prosecutor F. Aaron Negangard said.

Hess has been charged with battery resulting in the death of an endangered adult, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily harm, and negligent homicide.

Woodlawn fired Hess in December after the allegations came to light. A person who claimed to witness the elder abuse called authorities before Scalf was cremated. The witness, who was visiting her mother in the nursing home just one week earlier, told authorities that she watched a disturbing incident during her visit.

“Kathy was yelling at the patient, physically trying to move her from the walker in a pretty violent matter,” Negangard said.

Negangard added that the witness saw Scalf lose consciousness in the bathroom.

“14 minutes after getting to the hospital, she was pronounced dead,” Negangard said.

If convicted on the elder abuse charges, Hess faces up to 20 years in prison.

Signs of Elder Abuse:

Nursing home residents suffering from physical abuse by their caregivers (home caregivers, family member caregivers) may show:

• bruises, welts, burns
• unexplained fractures or other physical injuries
• repeated accidents
• injuries left untreated
• references to caregiver’s temper or anger
• nervous or quiet around caregiver
• runs away from the home or tries to
• has marks or scars from restraints on wrists
• shows effects of chemical restraints such as incoherence, grogginess, excessive sleep
• sudden fear, restlessness, anxiety
• prevented from getting medical treatment or being alone with visitors

Take Action:

First, report the elder abuse signs or events to Adult Protective Services. APS is responsible for investigating and restoring an environment of proper care. If your loved one has sustained mental or physical damage, contact an experienced attorney to investigate avenues of financial recovery and punitive damages. At Strom Law Firm, LLC., we offer a complimentary case evaluation. We’ll fight for you or your loved one, so you can focus on the recovery process.

The Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm Prosecute Elder Abuse

If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, because an in-home caregiver or registered nurse in a nursing home has neglected the patient, you may have an elder abuse case. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and will treat you with respect and compassion. It is important to fight elder abuse so you, your family, and others no longer suffer because of criminal behavior. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help.803.252.4800