LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– A woman was arrested Wednesday after being accused of neglecting/abusing an elderly patient at her workplace.
According to an arrest citation, 24-year-old Eunice Barnes was an employee in the Geriatrics Unit of The Ridge when the abuse occurred on Sept. 21.
Surveillance video shows Barnes slapping her 76-year-old patient, who suffers from a number of ailments, multiple times. The patient was also dragged across the room and sprayed in the face with a shower sprayer.
Also in the video, the patient was observed yelping during the assault and had bleeding on her arm after the incident.
Barnes is charged with one count of knowingly abuse/neglect of adult by person.
The behavioral health center released a statement on the incident to LEX 18:
The care and safety of our patients, including their privacy, is The Ridge Behavioral Health System’s top priority. The staff and administration are cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation of this event. This was an unfortunate and isolated incident and is not representative of the compassionate care that our staff and clinicians provide. We do not tolerate deviation from our high standards and we deeply regret what occurred on our premises. Due to HIPAA patient confidentiality and privacy laws, we may not offer further comment regarding the care and treatment of any patient. The Ridge Behavioral Health System remains dedicated and committed to its mission of providing the highest quality of care to its patients and to offering services that improve the overall health and wellbeing of patients and their families.
