Jury Convicts Nursing Home Caregiver of Assault, Abuse of Vulnerable Adult

Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced that a nursing home employee has been convicted of assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult following a jury trial in Carroll County.

Esther J. Gordon, 46, of Frederick, was found guilty of abusing an 87-year-old man residing at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Mount Airy.

On October 9, 2014, Gordon was helping the man, who has dementia and can be combative, get dressed for the day when he resisted her care. Gordon grabbed the man’s hand and slapped him several times, resulting in extensive bruising. A second nurse who was assisting at the time reported the incident to supervisors.

Following a three-day trial, a jury found Gordon guilty of second-degree assault and second-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult. At a hearing this week, Carroll County Circuit Court Judge Fred S. Hecker granted Gordon, who had no prior criminal record, probation before judgment on both counts. She was placed on probation for three years, and is prohibited from being employed in the care of vulnerable adults in any fashion. Gordon must also complete 100 hours of community service.

Additionally, Gordon will be placed on a federal exclusions list prohibiting her from being employed in any federally-funded health care program for a minimum of five years.

Attorney General Frosh thanked the Maryland State Police, former Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Investigator Dean Brewer, and Assistant Attorney General Stephen Roscher for their work on the case.