Staff Writer for Salisbury News
One would think in a nursing home, everyone - staff and patients, alike - would be safe. We foolishly hold this false sense of security because much of our local media never bothers to report the incidents that happens within the walls, using the guise of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy as some excuse not to relay the horrors some face in these institutions.
Hartley Hall, a non-profit, private nursing home/rehabilitation center nestled in Pocomoke, Maryland had an incident on May 9, 2017, which shows how the negligent press and local law enforcement are failing to warn and keep the community safe from harm. The incident involving the nursing home staff member and a 46 year old male patient in for supposed 'short-term" rehabilitation, where he sexually assaulted the nurse leaves a particularly disturbing taste due to the fact the facility (on the website) boasts the following:
"It was founded by the local chapter of Soroptimist, for the purpose of providing housing and basic care for elderly ladies of the community."
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| From Harley Hall's Website |
Upon investigation of this organization, it was found the Soroptimist is a global organization whose mission is: "...working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment."
Further down, the first Quick Fact on the organization's website states: "One in three women have been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime."
How is it, a nursing home touting this type of background comes to have a male sexual predator in the same area as elderly women patients; cared for by a staff consisting mostly of women?
Over the weekend, the same source indicated many female workers called out sick because there was no security to keep them safe from further incident. "The Pocomoke police refused to arrest this patient," stated the source, whom while wasn't the direct victim was also traumatized by the event and feared for their own safety. "Everyone is scared to death because the men who work there leave on Friday afternoon so many had no choice but to call out."
By not having adequate staffing coverage, the nursing home patients are at serious risk of assault with no one (or very few) people there to help them ward off an attacker. Therefore, the question has to be asked, why didn't the police arrest this patient immediately regardless of his medical situation or at least, post a 24 hour/7 day detail until he was ready to be taken to central booking and held in the Snow Hill's holding facility until the June court appearance (and beyond)?
The scary fact is the perpetrator is still at Hartley Hall and the big question is, why?
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With the way our local media fails continuously to report on these hotbed issues, one has to wonder, how many other incidents such as this falls through the cracks? And, furthermore, why isn't anyone doing anything proactive rather than reactive to these types of dangers the elderly face?
Shouldn't our police and media be concerned to the point of action?
How many people have to be assault and sexually violated before it becomes an out front issue?
149 comments:
Good old Timothy Richard Stephens Jr. 5'8" and 280
WOW! This is crazy. Lock the POS up!
I'll tell you why most of our elected representatives don't want to get involved; because they don't want to disrupt the arrival of their regularly scheduled paychecks - and - want to continue to have their paychecks to arrive each week via US mail - and that's the bottom line.
It's a corrupt system folks!
This is disconcerting to say the least. Unfortunately, health care providers are inundated with 'training' on the HIPA Regulations (often referred to as HIPPA in those trainings). The second 'P' in this was meant to refer to Privacy, although not in the original title and in reality was a minor part of the Act itself. Although the regs as put forth were well intended, it has, most unfortunately, been overemphasized to the point that everybody runs away from incidents like this. Privacy is the priority over Portability (Portability was the original intent but that got lost when the elected elite got hold of it!)
The 'Privacy' provision was never intended to shield criminal behavior, but unfortunately it was an 'unintended consequence'. Thank you Thorton for bringing this to light. It really does beg for a further look.
8:22, This wasn't Thornton. It was written By Constance Remington who is also a Staff Writer for Salisbury News.
I'm sorry Constance, don't know how I attributed this to Thorton! Well done!
If this "man: i sjut there for rehab - lock his behind up immedaitely. why is he being allowed to futerh terroize the staff and residents at this nursing home? Since many employees did not come in over the weekend who was there to protect the elderly women? Why hasnt something been done to this person? I am sure if he was this brazen to do this to an employee she is NOT his only victim.
822 this has NOTHING to do with HIPPA. This a-hole sexually assaulted an employee!! He is a criminal and should be removed immediately from that location. I don't give a sh!t if he is a patient and needs further rehab. He needs to be removed for the safety of all patients, nurses and guests. Period end of discussion.
8:22 it is actually HIPAA - the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
I have a feeling this type of thing happens more often than anyone would like to believe. HIPA should be repealed just like Obama care, it's created many horror stories. Close family members cannot even find out how close relatives are doing when hospitalized. Legislators never use any common sense when making laws like this.
The question is: how and WHY was he admitted? He certainly is NOT the clientele that they advertise to serve.
Follow the money . . . .
Thank you Constance as several reporters have known this since shortly after the incident but have failed us in not reporting this news! God bless you and damned are those who stand on the sidelines waiting for worse to happen. Thank you!
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8:46 AM That is not a sensible comment. The problem is that lack of understanding how the law works. And it is NOT the business of close family members to know how an individual is, unless the individual wants them to know Everything is not your business.
Disgust isn't even the word for this. Why don't they arrest him and let a judge decide if he's competent enough to stand trial, in the very least?
8:22 AM
Agree wholeheartedly, you are correct
If they lock him up thay means his bed is empty and empty beds dont bring in money!! Worked many nursing homes and rehabs where people are more than ready to go home but if census is low you'll see them staying for the smallest things per dr orders.
What did the "source" do when viewing this horrendous act? I would have grabbed the first item at hand and pounded him. He would now be in the hospital, maybe even minus a penis, (and I'd probably now be in jail).
You would be locked up. Crazy how HIPPA goes out the window and the nursing home is hailed a hero for getting you locked up
As a worker in the medical field and a survivor of family members who have endured this type of behavior. Rehab should not override the law and what this man did. By his actions alone he has proven that whatever he went there to be rehabilitated for is cured. If he can do this then he can go to jail!
More proof the govt and cops don't give 2 shits about your safety... Remember, it is you against them!!!!! According to them...
The police don't get a say in if he get's locked up. They present a statement of probable cause about the case to the court commissioner, who decides whether to issue a warrant (arrest/bond) or summons (paperwork)and decides what charges to issue against the defendant. Blame the commissioner not the police. Evil men do as they wish, law enforcement do as they are allowed.
The part not mentioned here is the patient beat her with a closed fist on her head so severe she told me she seriously thought shewas ggoing to die before someone would get to her.
Wow , what an issue with this organization. For older ladies ? I don't think so , it's all about the $$$ . Thanks for the heads up , let's just see what happens now that they were exposed! My goodness , if my mom were there I'd be in jail for murder.
8:43 AM you are totally on point, and I am the 8:22 AM poster if that means anything
As with most issues brought forth on this blog, the majority of you have no clue about the laws involved to be in a position to contribute to the conversation. There are lawyers that specialize in nursing home regulations. Most facilities are referred as nursing and rehabilitation centers. Nursing homes are not exclusively for old people. They also offer rehabilitation services provided by physical therapists. As hospitals and insurance companies force patients out the door as soon as possible, they are sent to nursing homes to recuperate. It is very difficult to remove a person from a nursing home especially if the are medicaid/medicare. Many residents, male/female and young/old are combative, sexually inappropriate and abusive both mentally and physically.
948 if this is true then the nursing & rehabilitation centers should be required by law to employ full-time armed security to ensure all patients are safe regardless of circumstance. If your argument is to some how justify this horrific situation that goes on in probably every facility in the area, then you fell grossly short. If anything you only verify why its imperative this issue needs to be address from a legislative level and not left up to the individual facilities. They are obviously not caring for the elderly's safety.
Not to mention the nurse who charted the incident, was told what to chart by the administrator , not the actual facts. All employees tried to get security, We tried to get him out. We are scared and made it known to administration. They posted that we could call Deer Oaks psych services for limited counseling. This is who they have a contract with for residents. Not something like this. They have cameras to make sure employers don't abuse their break times but nothing for OUR safety. WE can't see what's on the camera.
If they can have cameras on employees to catch break-time abusers, why don't they have a system in place to deal with this? Sounds to me like Hartley is a horror and I certainly wouldn't want either of my parents in a place like this.
Wasn't the nurse also not allowed to leave the facility for 3 hours to seek medical treatment? That is hideous for a employer to do to a assulted employee. Paperwork isn't that important. People get your elderly out of that place.
Money is the baseline here and it has nothing to do with safety or health. These "centers" are more like money-making ventures than anything else. Look at how Dr. Burger from OC after his stint in hotels, went into building these facilities instead. Why? Because they make a heck of a lot more more money with less outlay in cash and operation costs. At hotels you have more security than you do in these places. Pretty sad if you really think about it. You're more secure in a hotel or a casino than you are in a nursing home. smh
9:20 AM What is your point? I see you are into victim blaming. Because both were victims. SMDH
1016 what's YOUR point? you make no sense whatsoever. How is 920's comment blaming anyone at all, they simply stated they would be in prison because that patient would have run out of breath. You really don't have good reading comprehension. Go get educated.
And they will squiggle their way out of this too. Needless to say, several nurses already have law suits in place. Labor laws requires a safe work environment. That was jeopardize for almost a week now. And if another event happens, there won't be a Hartley Hall. It'll be own by the nurses!
You are correct
You know what will happen? Nothing. The law will deal with it, the victim will lose her job and sue, and nursing home will cover it up and the public will forget about it.
Because that is what ALWAYS happens in this ghetto town of lazy people who do not even bother to vote.
Please keep us posted if the employees involved in this after this story was released had any back lash.. Im sure there are some furious admin at this nursing home
Why isn't he locked up
All the local news agencies have been notified. WBOC took a full statement to make the public aware. The administration won't do anything, the police won't arrest him. I wonder if he assaulted a female officer if we'd be having this conversation? Why is ok that a nurse has to endure this with no consequence to the offender?
If the nurses and aides had a union, this would not happen.
This says a lot for the argument the local press is in the tank. Too much politics because all those nursing home ads bring them big bucks. How dare they piss off their sponsors? WBOC, WMDT and Daily Times should be ashamed of their staffs for not picking up this story last week. Shows even on the Media side, it's all about money and nothing to do with serving the community which si what they're supposed to be doing!
1040 what a BS answer. If nurses had a union there wouldn't be a lot of nurses because unions would gouge their money and give them nothing in return. You can take that to the bank.
How many other homes does this occur? Do all of them have similar issues that we never hear about from the media or local government officials? Why is this the first we hear about this when it took place six days ago? Shouldn't this be leading news on WMDT and WBOC that night? What in the world has happened to news media? It's more important to do pet adoptions than nurses getting sexually molested by patients while at work? Really?
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Will it get to the point where nursing will experience a shortage like doctors? How can anyone expect a nurse to deal with this abuse on a daily basis and continue?
A major storm is brewing. Our legislators have read the story and are firmly on top of it TODAY. I want to thank each and every one of them for taking the time to read this article and react in a very proactive way. This is extremely damning on the Eastern Shore's reputation and something WILL get done about it. I'm very confident in that.
As for the rest of the local Media. They have shied away, (so far) from showing ANY respect towards these female nurses. If you hadn't noticed, this story made it to the top 5 stories of the week in less then 2 hours and keeps climbing every hour.
Very similar to the park bench story in Ocean City and other articles we provided last week, (days ahead of the other msm) they WILL cover this story because it IS the talk of the Eastern Shore today. Sad, however, that they are FORCED to do so because they have nursing home advertisers this could cripple and the all mighty dollar is more important to them.
All I am saying is if he had a traumatic brain injury thr nursing home could use that to their side to make it look like its just a normal risk a nurse takes. Hence why they didnt encourage an arrest
11:01, ALL I'm trying to say to ALL of you is, THIS IS AN ALL WOMEN'S NURSING HOME! NO MAN belongs there, period. Do you get it now?
This affects everyone in the community because there's a lot of elderly here in the area so why isn't this on the local tv stations' news shows?
11:01 Your comment is inaccurate. That facility is a nursing and rehab facility. NOT a facility set up to treat and take care of residents with TBI or severe mental health issues. It is set up for people that require long term nursing care or short term rehabilitation. He obviously requires extensive psychiatric evaluation and treatment or jail time. That is in no way a normal risk nurses take. As medical professionals there is a right to a safe work environment, which this is not.
1101 there is absolutely no plausible excuse for this man to not be arrested on the spot. He should've been removed from the facility immediate regardless of his 'state'. To suggest otherwise is just insane.
This is not an all woman's nursing home. I go there frequently because my grandmother is a resident there. I have two co -workers that have their father in there. Hartley Hall also can be used as a rehab facility, however, not for the mentally ill. I certainly won't deny that there are definitely problems there though.
This should have never happened. This man showed a pattern of sexual aggression and violence towards staff and is now even threatening to “shot everybody" according to one witness. As of right now, no safety measures have been put in place for the staff or residents. In all our anger and frustration, let's not forget to pray for the victim; she needs our support. The majority of the nursing staff are on edge and can't believe he's still there. They need our prayers n support too. The news? They should have been all over this so that the administration would have been forced to protect the innocent asap.!As for the administration, they need to be held accountable, especially since the efforts to keep him from being admitted to begin with were ignored and the truth about the pattern of behavior leading up to this tragic event was suppressed n covered up...well, until now.
Goodbye Gary Crowley and Brenda Evans administrator and assistant administrator for trying to keep this story covered! Safety first. Patients and staff and visitors safety was highly jeopardized during this time!
Bet most never thought about it that visitors are also put at risk. People need to WTF up and start understanding these articles instead being consumed with Albero-hate. You're missing the point and making yourselves look idiotic. Everyone in society is at risk with these people whether they're inside a nursing home or walking around Acme shopping for weekly groceries. Our government has intervened in health/mental care to the point where its ineffectual and affecting communities adversely. Don't you minions see this?
Hey Joe - re your post of 11:05, is it reasonable to ask who sent him there and who admitted him? Thanks.
Some have asked why the other nurses witnessing this did not jump the man in defense..Just think how that would have ended? A nurse laying her hand on a patient would have lost her job. I am a nurse(not employed at Hartley Hall) and would have given up my license for the opportunity to defend another nurse.
If you people really knew what goes on in a nursing home, you would never put a family member in one.
There is an increase in younger age there because of rehab,and the amount of reimbursement that rehab/skilled facilities get.
You should look into the average life span after being admitted per patient.
12:29, Why don't you take the time to click on the link we provided in the article to see their mission statement and facts about the facility. It clearly states this is a nursing home for WOMEN only.
For commenters that claim men are there as patients, please go to the Hartley website and you will see as listed above, they were started as a facility that concentrated on elderly ladies' health and care. This is not saying they still have that focus; however, the presence of a sexual predator is like having a pedophile working at a Chucky Cheese, isn't it?
What a horrible mess. I've been following this patient since His stroke. I've known Timmy all his life. Never have I seen such actions come from him. Not a hint. I had come to the conclusion that the boy was gay. I'm not defending his actions. I feel horrible for the victim. It does come with the territory. Working in these facilities you see the abuse to the staff all the time. (I worked 20 years in field of caregiving). I suffered many abuses by patients. It was overwhelming. Then there's the abuse from the Administration to keep your mouth shut about these incidences. It's all about money.
Just 4 weeks ago, I had a personal encounter with Timmy. He was lucid and then all of a sudden (several times during our conversation) I thought he had gone completely stupid. He made no sense when in that state. Made me wonder if he would ever be able to make it on his own again. Working in this field as I have, you can tell what will become of these patients that suffer from brain damage. They end up trapped in their circumstances, never to live life in any normal sense again. I am ashamed of what He did. It hurts to think that he would do such a thing. And I feel so bad for the girl that this happened to. My heart aches for her. I know what she is going through. I've been there. I've had these type of attacks from both male and female patients. It can sometimes become unbearable. Doesn't make much sense. But we do our job. And we learn. May God take this situation and turn it for the good of Both involved.
One point missed by every commenter is the victims are helpless to escape an aggressor like the man involved in this crime. They are stuck there because some are unable to move about freely due to their age and infirmary. They are trapped with no way to get themselves to safety. Like a quadriplegic in a pool, they have no way to avoid this man should he set his sights on a target. They are defenseless and it's up to citizens in the community and workers at the nursing home to keep them safe. They don't have options like we do. People really need to learn how to think outside their direct line of vision to understand just how horrific this situation really is to people who are trapped inside this hell hole.
Additionally, many of these elderly people are unable to communicate the horrors that could have happened to them if any occurred. They are non-communicative even though they may know they've been violated. Don't you people have any heart or compassion? Do you know what it's like to be a person whose aged and just wants to live out the remainder of their lives in peace? Just stunned by this community's apathy towards other human beings who lack the physical ability to defend themselves. You people are just so cruel and inhumane. Hopefully, there is karma and judgement you will face for your cruelty and inhumanity. Some day, you might be sitting in Hartley or some place like it and experience the real horror first hand. Then you'll regret your belligerent behavior and attitudes. Life has an ugly way of doing that.
Salisbury 30/40 years ago would care very deeply about this story even if it is in Pocomoke. Now days, people don't give a sh** about their own kids much less their neighbors or strangers. There's too much apathy in the world and its why we're in such a dark place in our country. Salisbury and surrounding towns used to give a hoot about one another, took care of one another and looked out for each other. Now, they're so busy looking out for themselves they are cold, heartless individuals who border on having no soul whatsoever. This article's responses is proof why our society has suffered from moral decay and legal decline. No one gives a sh** anymore and it's painfully obvious even among the supposed God-fearing church goers. They just don't care anymore.
No amount of money is worth being sexually accosted at work. Sorry but there's no excuse for the Hartley Administrators to not keep their patients and staff safe. No reasonable excuse at all.
Pearl, a nursing home with vulnerable adults is no place for a person with TBI or any other mental situation. It's not an mental health institution. It is a home for people who are aging and they are our most vulnerable population along with children. It's our responsibility to keep them safe and it should be the local law enforcement's job as well. This situation is not for the most vulnerable people to have to deal with in their last years of life. They have no say for this man being housed among them and frankly, it's irresponsible for the facility to not make precautions, or better yet, refused to provide him a bed in the first place.
Joe it began as a facility for womwn only. It has housed elderly men and women for many years. The rehab is evidently for various ages.
Anonymous said "Pearl, a nursing home with vulnerable adults is no place for a person with TBI or any other mental situation. It's not an mental health institution. It is a home for people who are aging and they are our most vulnerable population along with children. It's our responsibility to keep them safe and it should be the local law enforcement's job as well. This situation is not for the most vulnerable people to have to deal with in their last years of life. They have no say for this man being housed among them and frankly, it's irresponsible for the facility to not make precautions, or better yet, refused to provide him a bed in the first place."
You are absolutely correct. I've witness abuse by fellow patients on fellow patients. It is shameful what is covered up in these places. I also know the Administrator (Gary Crowley) and also (Brenda Evans). If I remember correctly, Mr. Crowley was let go at Berlin Nursing facility quite a few years ago. I'm not allowed to disclose why. Brenda Evans also was at Berlin. It's all about keeping that money flowing. It sickens me.
5:19, Their Website, still, to this very moment states they are dedicated to the protection of abused women, PERIOD. It says nothing about men.
This is also a nursing home, NOT a rehab center. Every family member of every person living there should file a nation wide class action lawsuit against the company.
FIRST STORY ON WMDT: About the Christian bookstore closing on Route 13. Not the Nursing Home; not the accident on Route 50 at Sixty Foot Road. What does this tell you people about local news media here in Salisbury?
It's bad enough that they didn't arrest him, but why did they allow him to remain at the nursing home? There's no way they don't have sufficient cause to kick him out. And who's the genius who decided to only charge him with misdemeanors? This is one of the most mind boggling stories I've ever heard.
Only misdemeanors were committed. correct action was taken.
"It comes with the territory"??? Are you sick in the head? Maybe you won't feel that way when a patient forces his nasty dick down your throat!
Joe, I was a nurse at this facility for two years and was fired about 3 weeks ago. I was fired because I was calling 911 on this same patient for physically assaulting another patient. He grabbed her by the hair and fondled her breast. The administrator told me exactly what to document in the nurses' notes, to which I refused. I was escorted from the facility by two male maintenance workers and told that if I attempted to come back, that I would be charged with trespassing. I have about 10 other stories that would absolutely knock the windows out of this place if it got out. Let's just say that there are a few tricks up my sleeve, and they surely haven't heard the last of me.
Lets not forget that just last year the Pocomoke police chief was forced out of office by a few "feel good" snowflakes. They wanted a more PC police force. Well Pocomoke City council......this one's on your neck.
ABSOLUTELY AGREE SHE IS NOT HIS ONLY VICTIM
It might have started that way but there have been men patients there for many years.
FYI - It was not a TBI. He had a stroke. That's why he's there for rehab. Obviously he has some lucidity of thought and action, so move him to the WCDC like everyone else. Put him in isolation until he answers the charges. He can get his therapy there. This can't be the first time an accused sex-offender has had to be hospitalized or rehabilitated. What was done in other cases?
Jane Monastat Yes it comes with the territory in this type of work. Abuse is rampant from all sides. Apparently you have never had the task of taking care of anyone in a facility for those that cannot take care of themselves. It is a very demanding job for the Aids and Nurses. I've been kicked, punched to the point of seeing stars, bruised, insulted, spit on, accused of false deeds, etc. all by patients that were mentally unstable because of brain injuries. It is hard to keep a calmness about you when these things are happening. But we must. It is our job. We are trained to leave the room or situation of these natures and sometimes you in a position where all you can do is scream for help. It's also very hard when you have 40 to 45+ patients for just two aids. It is a high demand job. The pay is pathetic for the hassles the Aids go through. For the Aids, it's not even a living wage. Many have to work private duty just to make ends meet. You have no life. I worked for many years caring for these people. You learn to love them no matter how bad they treat you. They were once some ones baby (child). God loves all of us. And that is the second greatest Commandments. Matthew 22: 35-40 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
I worked with TBI patients who assaulted each other and staff, threatened people and were verbally abusive.I saw them destroy property and throw things at staff. The facilities try to cover it up, and if they can't the police come out arrest them and bring them back in or they write a summons and give it to staff. And they reoffend...they need to go back to having mental facilities, some patients are too dangerous to have only nurses watching them.The facilities only care about money, they are handicapped plantations,the client's are crops and the workers are slaves.The sicker the patient the more money they get, no regard whether they die or not..dvpit. is one of them plantations. REAL sketchy under the facades.
8:59PM
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE POCOMOKE CITY POLICE DEPT. OR THE CITY COUNCIL. OR THE MAYOR. OR ANYTHING SO GET YOUR AXE GRINDING AGENDA OUT OF HERE. THIS NURSING HOME AND THIS SICK ANIMAL SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS ON THEIR NECK
This particular patient was admitted against the approval of the director of Nursing. The director continually tried to have this patient discharged to a facility that was more appropriate for this patient. She continued to stress her concerns through emails to all of administration. But, ironically, her e-mails were all deleted within two days after this incident. He was approved for admission on a day that she was off, by the social workerTina Dykes because the census was low. They don't want empty beds, that's money lost to the company. It's at the very least $6,000.00 PER DAY.
Has anyone checked the board of medicine background for the medical director there at Hartley Hall? How is he still practicing? Predators everywhere.
How very odd. A similar situation with my mom at snow hill nursing home couple of years ago. Man there for rehab, went into her room. Nurse caught him 'touching' my mom. Mom could not walk & did not communicate well. He told police they were talking about her family. BULL!! No arrest, he stayed to finish rehab & we had to move mom into locked Dementia ward to keep her safe. That section is worse.
No one should b raped on the job. I don't care how many yrs u have done this. He should have been removed for everyone safety.
Is this patient going to have to actually rape & beat a nurse or patient before the police arrest this criminal? How sad is that for everyone at Hartley Hall? They're sitting targets waiting to be violated and local law enforcement doesn't give a sh**. Remember your taxmoney is paying for this!
This isn't the first time this patient has behaved inappropriately with staff so why isn't he charge with first or second degree felony instead of fourth? Sounds like law enforcement is just being lazy.
Sad 455A that you had to move your mother and the molester was left on the floor to violate other people. Unacceptable.
How is he a victim?
Sounds like people need to get their relatives out of Hartley Hall. There's no way I'd put my parents there. Never.
Doesn't that jail in snow hill have a medical section where this guy can be transferred?
1227 when will the employees and family members of the patients sue the nursing home? They should.
It took 4 people to get him off her. Others did help.
838 why don't you share more of those stories so area people know what's really going on in these nursing homes? Isn't that your civic duty to the community? Info should be shared so people are forewarned.
This story just confirms what I've long suspected about nursing homes. Why doesn't MDGA concern themselves with this problem instead of green energy and sanctuary state status. Shows you what our state government doesn't deem as important.
Not agreeing with what he did but he was there because he had 2 brain surgeries for aneurysms and he had a stroke. From what I hear, he became a totally different person after his brain was messed with. He should be institutionalized if this is his current personality but this a result of brain surgery and loss of oxygen, as far as I'm aware he didn't spend his life as a sexual predator. Even the publisher admitted they couldn't find any previous charges against him. Should he be institutionalized, yes - should there be a witch hunt after his family (which has already started), no.
This guy sits in his wheelchair on Market Street also. Waiting for another unsuspecting victim??
The system needs to shut down these combination facilities and let them be either a nursing home for the aging or a rehabilitation center but never both. This will cut down on the danger posed to older people.
He should not b there. He should have been removed. The safety of staff, residents and even visitors should b of the upmost importance here. I am a caregiver and yes we do all get abused in some form, but this is way beyond what any caregiver signs up for. Yes I feel for his family. But remove him so this doesn't happen again or before he actually kills someone. I know a person who has actually gave her 2 wks notice and is out under 2 dr notes and will have to attend therapy. I also know that nothing has been done and the employees don't feel safe. This is utterly a shame. Hartley hall was known by many as one of the best and after this they aren't fit to care for stray animals. After the first situation he should have been gone. Bit it is all about the money and not about care. When u get told to basically suck it up this is job something is wrong. No one and I do mean no one signs up to raped and physically beat to the point that u feel ur gonna die.
I pray for the victim and the staff. Especially those directly involved, and to those suffering with panic and anxiety. This is not good for anyone
5/16......12:27....Wake up. If the local police had done their job in the first place this would have never happened. This person is well known to law enforcement. Why did the police not arrest him?
No matter how much the media here in Salisbury ignores it, the more they look ridiculous. WMDT and WBOC is a joke and the Daily Times might as well not even exist. Why do they even bother if they're not going to report local news? They're idiots.
Agreed no one signs up for this. No one!!!!
Even more proof they want to sweep it under the rug and forget it happened, they actually have balloons EVERYWHERE! It's national nursing home week. They deleted emails where our DON tried to get him out to a place better fit for him. I heard her say " our patients aren't safe", ironic he attacked her! Ironic her emails were deleted 2 days after the incident. THAT IS A COVER UP. Isn't the lawsuits going to exceed the money they are getting for him? Send him home to his family. He DOES NOT HAVE A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. I hate knowing after he's threatened to " shoot the place up", there's a case number for that too, what's going to happen. He keeps his door shut so we don't know what he's doing behind that door. I thought I was going to pass out last night having to open his door to pick up a food tray. All I could do was take a deep breath...open it and if he blows my head off, at least my family would be taking care of. Everyone was sick, physically sick knowing we had to come to work. But, as we was told last week " suck it up buttercup!".. Jen Richey 's exact words. How heartless! If that's a nurse's attitude about it, rip her license away! She has absolutely NO HEART. It's her ONLY job as a news for 23 years. So of course shes calloused. She should shut her mouth before someone puts her in her place. Most nurses have a variety of experiences..that's what makes a well balanced nurse. She's as unfit as Gary Crowley is.
One better, I was there the day it happened. Jen Richey said, "I heard someone yelling for help, but I thought it was a patient ", When the aides looked at her she said " don't get my words mixed up", one GNA said, I don't like what I just heard. How can that be mixed up. YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A PATIENT! AND YOU DIDN'T CARE ENOUGH TO CHECK ON THIS PATIENT! WOW.....
Does that even matter what she charted? No so why is that even relavant to this situation?
You are wrong.
That nurse should sue the nursing home, the county, and the state of Maryland. That's appalling that the facility didn't and doesn't protect their patients and staff. The other thing I find appalling is that GNA didn't get off her behind to check on who was screaming. It doesn't matter if it's a patient or not, everything out of the ordinary should be checked. Also, GNAs, LPNs and nurses should do rounds on their patients at least every half hour, every 15 minutes would be better. Not every person is busy at the same time. Someone should report this facility to the state agency that accreditates hospitals and nursing homes. This patient can also receive rehab in jail and prison.
It wasn't a GNA who said she thought it was a patient, the GNA heard a registered nurse say " I heard someone yelling for help but I thought it was a patient ". Regardless if staff or visitor and especially a patient, She admitted she does not answer patients cries for help. The RN, NOT GNA.
This has nothing to do with Jen, Gary, Brenda, the Medical Director, Tina or whoever so keep it on point. There IS a victim who needs prayers and support so please do just that!
The facility can remove the perpetrator from the facility if they wanted to citing the safety of the staff and other patients. The facility has an obligation to keep everyone safe which is why this provision is in place. He could be sent to the ER and state that he is a danger to others in the facility and they cannot care for him. Truthfully, prior to that even happening, the social worker could find alternate placement for him. It sounds like she was the one who approved his admission. Now, she can deal with the fallout and find placement for him. I have worked in nursing homes for a very long time and have seen and heard a lot of things. Never have I heard of such a thing. This nurse should sue the pants off of this facility. She should never have been told to falsify/alter documentation or been asked to delay medical treatment for herself. Shame on that Administrator for his behavior in the way he handled this situation. Sometimes it's not about the money. Sometimes, it's how you take care of your employees. That goes a lot father than a dollar does and gets you a lot more. I wonder how he would have felt if it was his mother, sister, wife or daughter who had been sexually assaulted. Would he have wanted the situation handled differently? I pray for the healing of the nurse who endured the abuse of this patient and her co-workers who witnessed it.
What bothers me is that the amount of people that still do not know this situation has happened there. I have shared this story and reside in Pocomoke. I know people on the board, and I am ashamed to admit that, because the way this has been handled. Someone needs to get this man off of this facilities property! NOW! Not later! Hartley Hall Nurses and AIdes need to go on complete and total strike, let the news media know and the families know so they can be there to support the staff. Make it a scheduled strike so they have to hire agency workers in there to take care of the patients. Hit them in the checkbook. That is the ONLY WAY to get administration attention!
We put our loved one in a place like Hartley Hall to be safe and to be well taken care of. How dare something like this can happen and try to be covered up. It blows my mind that they can be allowed to put someone in this place that can endanger our loved ones.i say they better get his behind someplace else. He does not bel
If Molly is so unnerved by social injustice, why isn't her posse picketing Hartley right now? You'd think she'd be involved in protecting elderly people's rights to a safe environment as much if not more than illegal aliens' non-existent rights. Shows just what a sham Molly and her buddies really are, doesn't it?
Does the nursing programs at SU and WorWic have students working in places like Hartley for training? Why aren't they demanding an inquest be done in this situation because it would put their students in danger as well as everyone else working there?
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/security/laws-regulations/
Do you get that she's saying the THREAT of abuse is what comes with the territory, that too often that threat turns real? She never said anybody SHOULD be raped but it unfortunately happens.
People should contact Klein Leister, he is the president of the Board of Directors at Hartley Hall. Another person is the following:
Cheryl Senkbeil
MAC, Inc.
909 Progress Circle
Salisbury, MD 21804
(410)-742-0505
There needs to be investigation done on Crowley and management because this incident should've never happened. Ever.
Crowley is threatening staff for telling the truth? How f-ed up is this? Crowley should be fired immediately. Not like he's a stranger to being fired, he was fired from Berlin before going to Hartley. What an a-hole.
I worked at Berlin Nursing Home when He was fired. What a scandal then. And look at Him now. Another Scandal. Brenda Evans also was at Berlin during that time. Partners in crime.
Abuse is one thing. Yes I get that but this is not acceptable. No way no shape no form...and he should have been removed. Period.
If someone takes a job at a convenient store u are signing up for the fact that some one may walk in and put a gun to ur face. At no point does anyone sign up for what happened here. Yes hit, beat on, spit at and ect. Never raped and physically hit to the point u think u r gonna die.
The bottom line here is that he should have been removed and ppls lives r forever changed.
It does matter. She is supposed to be stating what happened, and it's a record of the incident for the state and others to see. It's also what doctors are looking at to decide a course of treatment. How can the situation be adequately handled if the documentation of the incident totally down plays everything. The administration tries to make things look better than they are to avoid getting sued and things to that nature
What is really scary is if he gets to a non-verbal patient, assults them, and no one sees it, he won't have any repercussions. There will only be staff speculation that Timmy left the bruises and left the damage. He could probably get away with it repeatedly before anybody actually does anything that makes a difference. Im talking about doing something beyod forged 10 minute checks on residents....
It's very difficult to do something like that when administration also doesn't care if a unit is properly staffed. I get so fustrated i can't care for my patients the way I want to because there is 3 GNAs and one nurse caring for 45 dementia residents. I really don't know how some of them sleep at night
All staff should begin a protest out front and NOT go back to work until this man is gone.
Is it pink slip Friday at Hartley for Crowley and Evans?
I heard Crowley said he would fire anyone who worked there if he found out they posted on this blog. Really cares for his staff. These are the kind of people running things
I agree HIPPA is out of control. Trump needs to get rid of it.
He doesn't sound too handicapped to me. Able to do that to a nurse. He's well enough to be a menace to society. Probability on the government door.
Yes share the stories.,we need to know.
She's correct. The threat of abuse comes with the territory on jobs like this. I've worked at an adult daycare and the patient could hit you and do whatever to you and if you fought back you were fired.
I saw several people get fired for defending themselves against a use. If you want your job you have to put up with it.,
Most facilities are like this. Best place to be is home. People who work in this industry know they are all alike. Nursing homes, adult daycares etc. they are all the same.
They are understaffed like most places. Wake up. Nursing homes are not a good place to put your family. They have been this way for years. Nothing new. One GNA to 30 or 40 severely I'll people. It's impossible to do all the required work. If you think a nursing home is safe for your family think again. I'd rather die at home.
I bounced around Nursing Homes on the Eastern Shore, just hoping things would be different. Physical Abuse to staff is a constant. Then you have the mental abuse from the Administration which to me is the worst. There were always cover ups. You will keep your mouth shut if you want to keep your job. I saw many GNAs become hardened that were very caring people. Then of course you would always have a caregiver that just didn't give a damn about their patients. These were the ones that were physically and verbally abusive to the patients. And the ones that did care were worked even harder which made them move on. I found private care to be the best. I'm sure there are stories. The only facility I worked at where the Administration care for the Employees and also the patients was Deers Head. It may not be a modern facility but there was honest caring.
At Berlin there was a big cover up on the New Wing which was nick named The Trump Tower. It was for private pay patients only. Black Mold was the problem. And we were threatened to keep our mouths shut about it. It was everywhere on that new wing. All staff and patients were exposed to this. Many got sick. But oh no, "it was safe" they would tell us. It took them a long time to clean it up. I wonder how many of the patients died from it. I guess we'll never know.
What have we become? It's about the all mighty dollar. That is the top priority (Not the patients nor the staff). Such a sad world we live in. And it will continue. Because the entire world is in the hands of the evil one.
Yep I have worked at places that would fire the staff member fir defending herself against a patient like him. Abuse like that should not happen, but to continue working in places like that you put up with it. It happens in other places too.....mental health treatment center, juvenile mental health places, drug treatment centers, correctional centers, adult day centers. You would not believe the crap the staff are required to put up with to keep a job. Between the clientele and administration these are total burnout jobs.
A gas station job and its customers are so much different than a patient at a nursing home. The rights they have are so different. Apples and oranges.
Is there any more information or action about this issue other than the two updates? The public should be kept in the loop because its important for all people who have family members in area nursing homes. Obviously policy changes are in grave need.
I have always wondered why Hartley Hall, Manokin Manor and other nursing home facilities don't have security guards. Sad situation...
355 that's an excellent question. Wonder why local nursing homes don't employ security staff. They certainly get paid enough money to get at least a staff of three or four.
Anything else happening with this situation? We haven't had an update in a few days now. What's the scoops?
Incredibly short staffed, especially nurses. Now they are paying certain nurses double time to sit by the offenders door instead of taking care of patients. They are not to leave their post of supervising this man, even being short staffed and in emergencies. It's crazy with staff being pieced together, most nights there's only one LPN in the entire building for the entire shift.
We actually planned that, unfortunately not all staff was on board.
Please post facts. One LPN was left in building for 2 hours by herself. Not a whole 8 hours. It ues to be that way you know
She dont have any to share because she never worked their!!!
It is the fact. You'd be surprised at who is listening to conversations staff is making to one another.
It still doesn't make it right. It also doesn't make it right that the employees were given an abuse paper to sign off on but where told they weren't allowed to date it because they were being back dated. Is that normal practice or the way it USED to be?
Pocomoke police do not protect their citizens bottom line
It's HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)...yes...only one P and it doesn't stand for Privacy. Criminal acts are not protected under the privacy provisions of HIPAA, by the way, so that cannot be the reasoning for not arresting him prior to now. Full beds = money in the SNF world.
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