Nurse Timothy Lambert Allegedly Struck And Verbally Abused A 94 Year-Old Female Nursing Home Resident With Dementia And Osteoporosis
Schneiderman: Caregivers Who Abuse Those In Their Care Will Be Prosecuted To The Fullest Extent
ROME – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Timothy Lambert, 35, a registered nurse, was arraigned in Rome City Court before the Honorable Gregory J. Amoroso on the charges of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree and Wilful Violation of Health Laws for allegedly striking and verbally abusing at a 94 year-old female resident of Bethany Gardens Skilled Living Center.
“Physical and verbal abuse of nursing home residents by medical professionals who have been entrusted with their care is reprehensible and will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “My office will keep fighting to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens and prosecute those who mistreat them.”
The incident allegedly occurred on July 7, 2015, at Bethany Gardens Skilled Living Center, a nursing home located at 800 West Chestnut Street in Rome, when Lambert, a resident of Rome, is alleged to have approached a 94 year-old female resident from behind, grabbed her by the forearms, and raised her arms above her head. He then allegedly bent down, leaning into her neck, still holding her arms, while using profanity. He let go of her arms, approached her from the front, grabbed her hands. Before he left the floor, he put his finger in her face. The alleged victim was assessed and found to have a fresh handprint-type bruise on her left forearm. She suffers from advanced dementia and osteoporosis. The entire incident was captured on video surveillance
Lambert entered a mandatory plea of not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. Judge Amoroso set the next court appearance for May 16.
The case was investigated by Senior Special Investigator Patrick M. Lynch. The case is being prosecuted by Ralph D. Tortora, III, Regional Director, Syracuse Regional Office of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Catherine Wagner is Chief of Criminal Investigations-Upstate. William Falk is the Deputy Chief Investigator Upstate. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.