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Nursing Home Arrests After Resident Dies of Hypothermia
21 Jul
Summary
- Two employees arrested in connection with a 93-year-old resident's death.
- The resident died of hypothermia after wandering outside the facility.
- The nursing home, Bickford Health Care Center, has since closed.
Two employees at the now-closed Bickford Health Care Center in Windsor Locks have been arrested following the February 8th death of 93-year-old Margaret Janice Healey. Healey, who suffered from severe dementia, died of hypothermia after wandering out of the facility into freezing temperatures. She was discovered in a snowbank hours after leaving, and staff waited an additional hour to call 911.
The nursing home faced numerous violations, including failing to alert authorities within 15 minutes of a missing resident and inadequate supervision of those at risk of wandering. These issues led to the facility's closure and the relocation of its patients. The arrests come shortly after the nursing supervisor on duty was disciplined.
Healey, a former teacher and nun, was remembered for her devotion to education and her love for animals and family. Her death was ruled an accident by the state Medical Examiner.
