Care home official charged

By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat

BEAVERDALE March 13, 2009 12:19 am

— A Johnstown woman was charged Thursday with seven criminal counts following a two-month investigation into the operation of a Summerhill Township care home and the treatment of an elderly resident following an attack by another resident.
Cara Jane Bennett, 51, of the 300 block of Keiper Lane, administrator of the now-closed Brunnet’s Personal Care Home, is charged with one felony and six misdemeanors involving the neglect of a care-dependant person
The charges stem from allegations that she failed to seek proper care and follow medical orders for a 66-year-old mentally challenged resident at the facility.
“We filed the charges because of the victim’s condition when his family got him to the hospital in late December,” Summerhill Township Police Chief Paul Bonfanti said. “It’s also because the doctor’s orders for care were ignored.”
Police allege the resident was sexually assaulted on Nov. 30 by Joseph C. Emmel, 18, a resident of the home at 134 Lance St.
The victim was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, where he was discharged Dec. 2 with instructions that he get medical care if his condition did not improve.
The administrator also was told to seek psychiatric help for the man.
In the charges filed at the office of Portage District Judge Galen Decort, police allege that the victim suffered incontinence and complained of increased pain in the groin area. He also stopped interacting with others.
Family members visiting on Christmas Day were alarmed by the victim’s worsening physical and mental condition, and they urged caretakers to have him seen by a doctor.
The victim was suffering from a broken pelvis, an abscess so severe he was unable to urinate and septicemia.
His condition prompted intervention by the state Department of Public Welfare.
Officials closed the facility on Dec. 30 and relocated 15 elderly and mentally challenged residents.
A total of 227 violations were documented by DPW regarding care of the victim and an October inspection showing a number of deficiencies at the facility, which is owned by William and Shirley Brunnet.
Bennett could not be reached for comment Thursday. Her preliminary hearing at April 15 in front of Decort.
The victim has been relocated to another facility in the Summerhill area and continues to recover, Bonfanti said.
Emmel was charged in early December with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and related counts. His case is pending in Cambria County Court.