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A.G. Schneiderman Announces Arrest Of Social Worker For Allegedly Pushing Nursing Home Resident To The Ground

Susan Sanborn Allegedly Pushed Resident To The Ground And Kicked Her Legs Out Of The Way

Schneiderman: We Will Work To Ensure That Vulnerable Patients Are Treated With Respect And Dignity

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced the arrest of Susan Sanborn, 55, of Cheektowaga, for pushing a 68 year-old resident of Absolut Care of Orchard Park to the ground during an encounter near an exit door of a secured unit in the facility. The resident, identified only by her initials to protect her identity, is incapable of caring for herself as she suffers from the effects of a brain injury and seizures, and is a high risk for falls.

“Nursing home residents are among our state’s most vulnerable citizens and their safety and security should be a given in a nursing facility,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will not tolerate anyone being abused by those responsible for their care, and we will continue working to ensure that those most in need of help are safely cared for and treated with respect and dignity.”

Sanborn, a social worker employed by Absolut Care, was observed on video surveillance pushing the resident to the ground. Once on the ground, Sanborn used her foot to kick the resident’s legs out of the way of the exit door so that she could close the door and leave the unit. Sanborn did not wait with the resident for medical assistance and did not return to check on the wellbeing of the resident.

Sanborn was charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree, a class E felony, and with Wilful Violation of Health Laws, an unclassified misdemeanor. The E felony charge carries a maximum prison term of four years. She was arraigned in Orchard Park Town Court before Honorable Lynn W. Keane and entered a plea of not guilty.

The charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The case was investigated by Investigator Janice Boyd, with assistance from Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) Buffalo Regional Chief Investigator James Zablonski and MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator William Falk. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Thomas N. Schleif of the MFCU Buffalo Regional Office. Gary A. Baldauf is the Regional Director of the MFCU Buffalo Regional Office. Catherine Wagner is the Chief of Criminal Investigations-Upstate. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by acting MFCU Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General Kelly Donovan.

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