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TALLAHASSEE -A certified nursing assistant has been arrested for abusing an elderly, disabled resident of a Miami Beach nursing home. The arrest of Emily Singleton, 60, culminates a two-month abuse investigation by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The investigation began when the Department of Children and Families referred a complaint to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which looked into the incident with the cooperation of the staff at Oceanside Extended Care Center. Investigators with the unit's Patient Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (PANE) Unit in Miami determined that an Oceanside staff member heard cries coming from the room of a disabled resident, and saw Singleton - a nursing assistant at the facility - abusing the resident.
According to the witness, Singleton slapped the 91-year-old woman twice, then picked her up by the shoulders and slammed her back onto her bed. The witness reported the incident to superiors, and authorities at the facility detected alcohol on Singleton's breath and said she admitted she had been drinking. Singleton was immediately suspended, and further investigation by Attorney General's investigators led to the criminal charges.
"These facilities and their employees are there to protect, not attack, our most vulnerable citizens," said Attorney General Charlie Crist. "Those in charge of this facility are to be commended for acting so quickly to put a halt to these abusive practices."
Singleton was arrested Monday morning by local law enforcement and is currently being held on $5,000 bond at the Turner Gilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami. She faces the single charge of abuse, aggravated abuse and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult, a third-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution.
The PANE Project plays a key role in detecting abuse and neglect of elderly and disabled patients, helping to ensure that efficient and effective health care is being provided. Under the initiative, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit provides investigative services in conjunction with other state and local agencies to protect the rights and dignity of Florida's elderly and disabled adults. Since its inception in 2004, the project has fielded close to 19,000 contacts, including complaints originating at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, state facilities and hospitals. The Attorney General's Office has established dedicated PANE teams in Miami, Tampa and Tallahassee.
A copy of the arrest affidavit is available: Arrest Affidavit(PDF File)
12-19-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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