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The Virginia Board of Nursing has decided to rule that a nursing home supervisor accused of ignoring and failing to report sexual abuse of elders in the facility where she worked is innocent of the charges. Supervisor Helen Roberts is accused of ignoring evidence and reports from staff that serial molester James Wright was abusing elderly patients at National HealthCare-Bristol.
The Board made this determination not in a formal hearing with testimony from witnesses and investigators, but in an informal hearing. Roberts was able to speak her mind about her accusers, alleging that they were untrustworthy sources.
The Board did, however, find that Roberts should have documented other job performance issues that Wright was having. In addition, they noted that Roberts did not report that he was accused of trying to force-feed a resident.
After announcing their findings the Board added that they expected Roberts to attend courses for nursing documentation and professional accountability. As for Wright, he is currently in jail on a 60 year sentence for sexually assaulting residents at the Bristol facility.
The facility’s Director of Nursing and the Administrator also faced charges of ignoring complaints about abuse. The Director of Nursing, Elizabeth Anne Franklin, was reprimanded and was asked to pay a $1,500 fine; Administrator Charlotte Wilson is awaiting her hearing.
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