Syracuse nurse aide accused of striking a nursing-home resident

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Syracuse nurse aide is accused of hitting and shoving a nursing-home resident and not being truthful about the alleged incident.

Samantha Grover, 36, allegedly struck and pushed a male resident at the James Square Health and Rehabilitation Centre at 918 James St. in Syracuse, the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a news release issued Tuesday.

The victim then tripped and fell, hitting his shoulder on a piece of furniture. As a result, the resident suffered from impingement syndrome of the right shoulder with a rotator-cuff strain.

Grover then allegedly made a false statement to James Square officials regarding the incident, Schneiderman’s office said.

The incident allegedly occurred on Oct. 17 of last year. Grover has worked at the nursing home for four years, according to the release.

She’s been formally charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree; falsifying business records in the first degree; and willful violation of health laws.

Schneiderman’s office on Tuesday announced Grover’s arraignment before Judge Kate Rosenthal in Syracuse City Court.

Grover entered a mandatory plea of not guilty and was released on her own recognizance. Judge Rosenthal set the next appearance for April 12.

“Nursing-home aides are charged with taking care of some of our most vulnerable citizens, and must treat them with the care and respect they deserve,” Schneiderman said in the release. “We will prosecute those medical professionals who violate the trust placed in them.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com