Nursing Home Homicide Shocks New Yorkers

Nursing home abuse and negligence inflicted on one of the most vulnerable demographics are far too common in the U.S. Sometimes, it costs seniors their lives. Earlier in December, 77-year-old Frank Mercado lost his life and his death has been ruled as a homicide.

The former resident of University Nursing Home on Grand Avenue in the Bronx suffered a violent death following an altercation with an employee of the nursing home. The employee, 41-year-old Cherrylee Young has been charged with negligent homicide, fatal assault and endangering the welfare of an adult.

Conflicting reports of the altercation

The investigation into Mercado’s death is ongoing, which may be why there have been some conflicting reports of what happened. According to The New York Times, Mercado suffered from dementia and impaired eyesight. He reportedly called out for help and Young allegedly beat him, causing him to fall on a sharp metal piece of an overturned table, which impaled the elderly gentleman. However, the presence of an overturned table seems to indicate that a more involved struggle occurred.

Other sources indicate that an argument took place between Young and Mercado. The argument apparently had something to do with an alarm clock that was going off. Workers at the nursing home informed investigators that they’d heard loud screaming and a commotion. When these workers went to Mr. Mercado’s room to investigate, they allegedly found Young on top of Mercado. She was reportedly punching him while he had his back to the wall. Then, both individuals reportedly fell to the floor, knocking over a table.

The other employees then pulled Young off of Mercado, who was still punching the senior citizen, at which time they noticed that the table’s metal stand had impaled Mercado at the buttocks. According to one source, police investigators have stated that workers waited for hours before calling paramedics, at which point Mercado was taken to Montefiore Medical Center, where he did not survive for very long. However, another source claims that Mercado was rushed to the hospital right away and died hours later.

Determining exactly what happened during the incident and whether employees waited to notify paramedics will play a critical role in the trial of Young. It may also be integral for determining whether other employees will face charges. It isn’t yet known if Mercado had surviving family members, and if so, whether they plan to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Millions suffer nursing home abuse each year

As horrific as this death was, this case is far from being the only shocking instance of nursing home abuse. Experts estimate that about four million senior citizens suffer from some form of abuse each year. It can be very difficult for families to properly evaluate nursing homes and determine if they could be safe places for their loved ones.

University Nursing Home, where Mercado lost his life, has a five-star rating from Medicare.gov and an apparently stellar history of providing care. However, this rating system can be deceptive. Earlier this year, families of seniors were shocked to learn that the Medicare.gov ratings are largely determined on the basis of information that the nursing homes themselves report and that independent authorities do not verify. Changes in this system are expected to be implemented in January.

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