Woman Admits She and Second Employee Committed Nursing Home Abuse

A woman in Framingham, Massachusetts admitted to police that she and a fellow employee at a local nursing home had committed nursing home abuse because they “thought it was funny.”

Damaris Diaz, 18, and Samuel Ayekple, 25, were arrested on Monday, May 5th, after an investigation that led Diaz to confess. Diaz was charged with three counts of assault and battery on an elderly person and two counts of videotaping or photographing someone in a state of nudity; Ayekple was charged with two counts of assault and battery on an elderly person.

Both suspects work at Emeritus at Farm Pond, in Framingham.

On April 30th, local police began investigating a report of nursing home abuse at Emeritus. The report did not state what led police to investigate the allegations. However, during the course of the investigation, they spoke with Diaz, who was a certified nursing assistant at the home, and she admitted that she had videos of nursing home abuse against Alzheimer’s patients at the facility on her phone. The police report states that the videos contained “verbal and physical abuse by Diaz and Ayekple.”

Diaz admitted that she physically assaulted a 78-year-old Alzheimer’s patient on April 10th, and had video to prove it. The video footage showed Diaz hitting the woman’s arms, flicking her ears, and pinching the patient’s nose closed. Another video showed the same resident partially nude. Diaz also had photos of an elderly male resident partially nude.

“She stated that it was immature of her to do what she did and an immature attempt at humor,” the police report said.

More videos on Diaz’s phone showed Ayekple repeatedly slapping a 71-year-old Alzheimer’s patient around the head and shoulders while the man tried to protect himself. As the man walked away to avoid further abuse, Ayekple slapped the man’s buttocks twice, almost knocking the resident over. When asked about his behavior toward the resident, Ayekple said the man had left his room and Ayekple was attempting to force him to return. However, Ayekple did not state whether or not he believed the behavior to be correct.

Both Diaz and Ayekple have been fired from Emeritus, according to a statement from the company. They have both posted $1,000 bail, and have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The two are due back in court on June 18th for a pretrial conference regarding the serious nursing home abuse charges.

The Strom Law Defends Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home abuse and neglect cases can be difficult to establish because of an widespread tendency by insurance adjusters, physicians, among others, to discount an elderly person’s injuries and the diminished quality of life that results from these damages.

If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you may have a nursing home 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