Schneiderman: Utica nurse aide arrested for punching nursing-home resident

UTICA, N.Y. — A Utica nurse aide is accused of punching and injuring an 87-year-old male resident earlier this year at the Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Utica.

Sonya King, 42, allegedly punched the resident on the right side of his face on Jan. 23, the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a news release issued Friday.

The alleged incident resulted in fractures of the right orbit of the man’s right eye; non-displaced fractures of the right and left nasal bones; and a non-displaced fracture below the eye, Schneiderman’s office said.

King is also accused of omitting the fact that she was responsible for his injuries in facility reports.

She is facing charges of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person or an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree; falsifying business records in the first degree and willful violation of health laws, according to Schneiderman’s office.

King pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in Utica City Court. The endangering charge and the falsification charge are punishable by up to four years in prison.

“Families deserve to know their loved ones are treated with the utmost care by medical professionals responsible for their safety and security,” Schneiderman said in the news release. “We will not tolerate the mistreatment of some of our most vulnerable citizens. My office will continue to prosecute those that physically harm elderly and vulnerable New Yorkers.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com