Two West Virginia nurses have been charged in connection with the death of an elderly nonverbal man who suffered fatal injuries after being left in a scalding hot bath for nearly an hour.
Kylah Beard, a certified nursing assistant, and Delilah Clayburn-Hill, a registered nurse, were charged with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult resulting in death, according to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
61-year-old Larry Hedrick, who required constant care at Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, was placed in 134-degree water for 47 minutes last January, KDKA reported. The scalding water caused second- and third-degree burns, which investigators say were not appropriately treated. Hedrick succumbed to his injuries at a burn trauma a week later.
Authorities allege that Beard failed to check the water temperature gauge before placing Hedrick in the bath. Despite being informed of his severe burns and blisters, Hill reportedly failed to administer the necessary care.
"This is a very disturbing case, and there needs to be accountability for the horrific death of Mr. Hedrick," Morrisey said, pledging his office's support for the prosecution.
The state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is investigating the incident and other parties who may have violated criminal statutes related to the case.
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