Woman pleads guilty to covering up sexual abuse and neglect at Mohawk Valley Health Care Center

ILION, N.Y. — The former director of nursing at Mohawk Valley Health Care Center in Ilion has pleaded guilty to covering up sexual abuse and neglect at the facility.

Nicolle Wagner-Stinson, 40, admitted to destroying a witness statement, the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a news release issued Wednesday.

The witness statement described a sexual-assault incident and concealing medical records in order to cover up patient neglect, Schneiderman’s office said.

She was charged with two felony counts of tampering with evidence.

Wagner-Stinson lives in Fort Plain in Montgomery County. She had served as Mohawk Valley Health Care Center’s director of nursing for two years.

Schneiderman’s office on May 7 announced the indictment of Wagner-Stinson, along with owners Gerald (Jerry) Wood III and Justin Wood and John Prendergast, a licensed nursing-home administrator, in this case.

The guilty pleas stem from the May indictment, according to the news release.

Wagner-Stinson admitted that on May 28, 2013, she acted on behalf of defendant MVNH Associates, LLC, which does business as Mohawk Valley Health Care Center, to destroy a witness’ handwritten statement.

That statement described a sexual-abuse incident involving two of the facility’s residents. It was believed that the statement was about to be provided to investigators, Schneiderman’s office said.

In a separate incident, Wagner-Stinson also admitted that she concealed a patient’s medication-administration record from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), which was “evidence of the Mohawk Valley Health Care Center’s failure to provide doctor ordered medication to that patient,” Schneiderman’s office said.

Nursing homes, managers, and staff are required to report incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of residents to DOH.

“The neglect shown by senior leadership at this facility is shocking. Failing to properly report incidents of patient abuse and neglect puts the safety of nursing home residents in serious danger,” Schneiderman said in the release. “We will continue to prosecute and hold accountable those who compromise the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Wagner-Stinson pleaded guilty in Herkimer County Court.

She faces up to four years in state prison during sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com

PHOTO CREDIT: New York State Attorney General’s office