Former Nursing Home Employee Convicted on Felony Elder Abuse and Rape Charges
Samuel Onyenweaku, 22, was convicted on felony elder abuse charges, rape, and felonious assault, after the nursing supervisor discovered his illicit actions in a 92-year-old resident’s room at the Amber Park Nursing Home.
Reportedly, on November 24th, the nursing supervisor became suspicious when she attempted to enter a 92-year-old resident’s room and found the door locked. When she unlocked the door, she found the elderly resident naked from the chest down, with her gown pushed up. The nursing supervisor found a pair of man’s pants and shoes under the bed. The room’s private bathroom was locked, and the supervisor unlocked it and found Onyenweaku standing in the bathroom.
Onyenweaku, who worked as a nurse’s aide at the time, was immediately fired. Shortly afterward, he was arrested on felony elder abuse and rape charges. He was convicted by the judge, after going to trial without a jury at his request, on Monday, June 23rd. His sentencing hearing will occur on July 28th, and he faces up to 20 years in prison for the rape and felony elder abuse charges.
The victim died in February from an unrelated condition. Reportedly, she suffered dementia and “did not know what was happening.”
The victim was bedridden and unable to communicate. These types of patients are often the most vulnerable in nursing home and elder abuse situations.
“He’s a predator. He chose her because she was not going to be able to communicate,” Assistant Prosecutor Anita Vizedom said. “This was the end of her life.”
Vizedom added that if the nursing supervisor had not entered the room, the rape and felony elder abuse could have continued for a long time, because the victim was unable to report it.
Signs of Elder Abuse, Including Felony Elder Abuse
A person does not have to inflict abuse to be held responsible for the physical abuse. Allowing it to take place without doing anything to stop or prevent the abuse is sufficient. By law, physical abuse includes: slapping, hitting, kicking, biting, choking, pinching, burning, drugging a patient or confining a patient to control behavior.
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
Physical abuse of the elderly, whether in a nursing home, or at home by a caregiver, is a felony and should be prosecuted
The Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm Prosecute Felony 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 a felony 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 felony 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
