The Attorney General for the State of New York charged 57-year-old Jerry Clarke, a Rochester Nurse, with abusing a nursing home resident. Clarke, who worked at Creekview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, has been charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and a misdemeanor count of willful violation of health laws. Creekview says it released Clarke, whom it had employed for six years, upon learning of the pending investigation.
According to the indictment, Clarke wrestled and punched a 64-year-old patient at the nursing home multiple times. While violently assaulting the senior citizen, Clarke allegedly yelled, “I told you not to try me” along with several racial slurs. The attack occurred against a resident, whose name was withheld from all news accounts, was unable to take care of himself because of known mental and physical handicaps. According to the indictment, Clarke “smelled of alcohol and appeared to be high during the incident.”
Commenting on the case, Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood said, “My office will continue to prosecute those who endanger our most vulnerable residents. New Yorkers deserve assurance that their loved ones will be appropriately cared for in skilled nursing facilities.”
Clarke did not respond to any of the news agencies requesting comment. He was arraigned last week and his trial is set to begin on September 27.
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