Abuse allegations reported at Evansville nursing home

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - Evansville Police are investigating a report of battery at a nursing home.

The report came from someone at Columbia Health Care on West Columbia Street.

Police say the victim was a resident at the facility.

While the person who reported it said it happened Sunday, police say it wasn’t reported to them until Tuesday. The reporter is an employee at the nursing home and told police they learned of the incident from a witness.

Police say more than one person is accused of hitting the victim, using their hands, fists, and feet.

We’re told all of it was all captured on security cameras.

Police say the victim did not appear to have any injuries but was taken to the hospital anyway for a behavioral evaluation.

Police say Columbia Health Care officials told them the accused have been suspended pending the investigation.

A Crime Scene Detective was sent to the nursing home to download the security video.

Police will use that as evidence as they continue to investigate this case. We’ve reached out to Columbia Health Care for comment, but at this time have not heard back from the facility.

This is the same facility we told you about last July, where an employee was arrested for rape.

Columbia Healthcare officials put out a statement on Thursday:

“Our top priority is always the wellbeing of our residents and we are saddened by this unfortunate allegation. The accused passed all our pre-employment screenings, which include a criminal background check. They also participated in extensive internal training on proper conduct and care of the residents we have the privilege to serve. As soon as we were informed of the allegation, we immediately took actions to ensure the safety of our residents. Those actions included immediately suspending the accused individuals and notifying local law enforcement and the Indiana State Department of Health. We conducted our own internal investigation and fully cooperated with the authorities. We remain committed to maintaining an environment of respect and providing the same level of care that we would want our own family members to receive.”

We’ll keep you udpated.

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