Altercation Allegedly Resulted In Multiple Fractures To Resident’s Face

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arraignment of Sonya King, 42, a Certified Nurse Aide, for allegedly punching an 87 year-old male resident on the right side of the face. It is charged that the physical altercation resulted in fractures of the right orbit of the right eye, non-displaced fractures of the right and left nasal bones, and a non-displaced fracture below the eye. King later allegedly omitted the fact that she was responsible for his injuries in facility reports. The incident took place on January 23, 2016, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Utica.

“Families deserve to know their loved ones are treated with the utmost care by medical professionals responsible for their safety and security,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “We will not tolerate the mistreatment of some of our most vulnerable citizens. My office will continue to prosecute those that physically harm elderly and vulnerable New Yorkers.”

King was arraigned in Utica City Court, Oneida County, on charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person or an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the Second Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree and Wilful Violation of Health Laws. The defendant entered a not guilty plea.

King resides in Utica, New York. She worked at Focus for one and one half years.

The endangering charge and the falsification charge are punishable by up to four years in prison.

The charges against King are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case was investigated by Special Investigator Scott D. Petucci. The case is being prosecuted by Ralph D. Tortora, III, Regional Director, Syracuse Regional Office of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Catherine Wagner is MFCU Chief of Criminal Investigations-Upstate. William Falk is the MFCU Deputy Chief Investigator Upstate. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is led by 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.