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Former home employees charged with abusing patient
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
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Two women identified in court papers as employees of the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home have been charged with abusing and assaulting a dementia patient.
Lecreshia Renee Joshway, 23, of Laurel sprayed cold water in Reginald Gilmore's face and threatened to hit him with a shower head, charging papers allege.
Chardae Shakeya Coates, 20, of Lusby is accused in court papers of punching the man in the chest and spraying shaving cream on him.
Other employees at the state facility provided information to St. Mary's County sheriff's deputies investigating the Sept. 29 incident, court papers state, before a court commissioner issued summonses last week charging the two suspects with second-degree assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in serious physical injury.
Gilmore had bruises on his arms, chest and stomach when he was examined during the police investigation, according to a charges application filed by sheriff's deputy Michael Harrison.
An employee entering Gilmore's room found Coates holding a fist up to the man as she yelled at him, charging papers allege, while Joshway was twisting Gilmore's arm behind his back.
Gilmore became angry and tried to defend himself, court papers state, before he and his wheelchair were rolled into the shower area, where Joshway sprayed water in his face and threatened to hit him with the shower head "because she was not in the mood."
Gilmore repeatedly tried to shut the water off, according to court papers, which include a witness account that Joshway grabbed the man by the back of his neck "like a dog would carry a puppy."
A struggle ensued between Gilmore and Coates, court papers state, which ended when she punched him in the chest.
Both suspects initially told police that no one had assaulted the man, according to charging documents.
Steven Wynn, the veterans home administrator, described the two suspects as "ex-employees" and said the facility's staff is dedicated to providing a safe environment for the veterans in its care.
Allegations of abuse, Wynn said, are responded to with "swift action, thorough investigation and total cooperation" with authorities.
