Watch CBS News

Bronx Nurse's Aide Accused Of Abusing Elderly Alzheimer's Patient

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx nurse's aide was arrested recently after she was allegedly caught on video abusing an elderly Alzheimer's patient.

Sandra Kerr, 55, was charged with three counts of willful violation of the public health law and three counts of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Friday.

The victim's granddaughter, Diana Valentin, became concerned about grandmother Ana Louisa Medina's care and placed a hidden video camera inside a plant in her room at the Gold Crest Care Center on Bruckner Avenue.

"I put the camera in thinking something was going on. When I actually saw it I was horrified and heartbroken," Valentin told CBS 2's Jessica Schneider. "She grabbed my grandmother's arm, twisted it back, lifted her up and slammed her into the bed."

Nursing home administrators told Valentin her grandmother was injuring herself, but she said she didn't believe it.

On Sept. 12, Kerr was caught on video snapping the victim's arm back, pushing her into the metal railing of her bed and pushing the padding from the resident's bed down onto her body, Schneiderman said.

Ana Louisa Medina
Ana Louisa Medina (credit: Diana Valentin)

Two days later, Kerr was seen on video striking the victim twice on her side, Schneiderman said.

"My office has zero tolerance for nursing home aides who abuse, neglect or harm the people in their care," said Schneiderman. "Medical professionals have a responsibility to properly care for their patients and must be held accountable when they fail to protect our most vulnerable citizens."

Valentin said she  immediately transferred her grandmother to another facility after she got a glimpse of the abuse.

"You could see the sense of relief in her face. She looked so happy," she said. "She basically took care of me. I was very close with her. Now it's my turn to take care of her."

Administrators at Gold Crest did not comment on the alleged abuse or the charges against Kerr, who could face a year in jail if convicted.

Valentin said she plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Gold Crest Care Center.

Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below ...

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.