
A Fairfield County, Ohio grand jury dismissed neglect charges against a nursing home after Edith West, a 100-year-old resident of Heartland-Fairfield Nursing Center, fell from her wheelchair, broke her neck and died 18 hours later.
WBNS-TV-10 in Columbus reported a State of Ohio investigation cited the nursing facility for neglect. West was left alone in her wheelchair before rolling herself into a nearby parking lot. Fairfield County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Moreheart presented the case to a jury, which found no supporting evidence to indict a nurse's aide.
West’s daughter, Mary Underhill, was disappointed. "I don't know if they should go to jail, but they should be punished in some sort of way," she said. "That's why she went there – to be safe. I know it was an accident but it's an accident that shouldn't have happened."
CentralOhio.com said the State of Ohio Department of Health recommended the facility be fined $8,500 for failing to properly supervise West.
The Lancaster (OH.) Eagle-Gazette said HCR Manor, owner of the nursing facility, claimed the grand jury’s ruling was just. Spokeswoman Julie Beckert said, "We feel the conclusions are correct and that our staff intended to provide the best care possible."


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