Peekskill and New Windsor Women Charged With Falsifying Records, Violating Health Care Laws at Veteran's Home

Two health care workers were arraigned Monday, June 23, 2014 on charges of failing to provide proper care for an 84-year-old Korean War veteran. The victim suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He was found on the floor of his room at the Veterans' Home at Montrose on the morning of May 1, 2013 and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, the North Country Gazette reports. 

After an investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, it was determined that LPN Joyce Opoku, 41, of New Windsor, and aide Isabelle Todman, 62, of Peekskill, failed to properly check on the victim overnight. Due to the patient's fragile condition he was supposed to be checked on, and repositioned in his bed, twice per night.

Video surveillance footage showed Todman entering the veteran’s room only twice during the night, once for just 20 seconds. Footage showed Opoku never entered his room during the night. According to reports, the Westchester Medical Examiner’s Office determined the resident’s death was the result of natural causes unrelated to the fall from his bed or from the defendants’ neglect.

Opoku and Todman were arraigned on charges of falsifying records and violations of health care laws in Cortlandt Town Court. If convicted, they each face up to four years in prison.

The defendants were released June 24,  2014.

The New York State Veterans' Home at Montrose is a healthcare facility owned and operated by the New York State Department of Health for Veterans' and their dependents. Serving the Veterans' and their families of the Lower Hudson Valley since 2001. NYSVH Montrose is located on the VA Medical Center Grounds and has 252 beds.

To read the full article on the North Country Gazette, click here.