One denied bond after over a dozen arrested in Colonial Heights nursing home abuse case
Dec 20, 2024
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WRIC) — One of more than a dozen employees accused of elder abuse and neglect at a Colonial Heights nursing home was denied bail on Friday.
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, several employees of the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center were arrested by officers with the Colonial Heights Police Department following allegations of elder abuse and neglect.
On Oct. 5, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) began investigating the nursing home after a patient who had filed a complaint died weeks after being discharged.
Now, in December, Shakima Brewer of Richmond and Danielle Harris of Disputanta are both charged with felony abuse and neglect resulting in death. Brewer was denied bail at her court hearing on Friday, Dec. 20.
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Harris, along with 4 others, were among the five employees arrested at the nursing home on Wednesday. Thirteen others were issued outstanding warrants following the investigation, with the majority of them reportedly arrested by Thursday, Dec. 19, according to police.
The majority of the employees are charged with misdemeanors, like falsifying patient records.
A statement sent to 8News by the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Licensure and Certification reads, in part:
“Nursing home facilities and staff are also mandated reporters, per federal and state requirements," the office said. "VDH has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement on the current investigation of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center."
The agency added in that same statement that, since there is a criminal investigation ongoing, it will not be able to comment on the matter any further.
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8News received the following statement from a publicist representing the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center:
"We are focused, as always, on the care of our residents. Their well-being remains first and foremost," the spokesperson said. "We are not at liberty to speak to the allegations as the investigation is ongoing and are cooperating fully with authorities.”
Those who have already been arraigned will be back in court for their next hearing on March 26.