MYFOXNY.COM – Authorities in Jersey City have arrested a home healthcare worker and charged her with abusing an elderly patient.
The arrest came after the family of the elderly woman suspected something was wrong after finding bruises on her. They recorded video of the alleged abuse captured via a webcam and Skype.
A family member said it was "heartbreaking" to watch.
The health aide, Carmen Pereira, 52, was charged earlier this month with aggravated assault with extreme indifference, endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, and neglect of an elderly/disabled person, authorities said.
Police released video of the alleged abuse. It shows Pereira apparently mistreating a 91-year-old woman over the course of many days.
One scene shows Pereira repeatedly slapping the woman's jaw in an apparent effort to get her to chew food.
She worked for an agency called "Loving In Care" and had worked for the family for eleven years. Pereira is out on bail and the company says she has been fired.
via www.myfoxny.com
It is so important to monitor the care your loved ones receive at the hands of trusted "helpers." This story illustrates what can go wrong. The video is heartbreaking. This is not intended to make you paranoid, just to remind you to be watchful and diligent.