Caregiver given probation for leaving residents unattended

A former caregiver was sentenced to probation Friday for leaving residents at a Greenfield assisted living facility unattended while she went shopping for personal items, according to the state Department of Justice.

During her absence Greenfield police and firefighters were called to the facility for an 88-year-old resident who had fallen to the floor, the department said in a news release.

Latisha Latrece Williams, 24, of Greenfield, who pleaded guilty to negligent abuse of a patient-no bodily harm, was initially sentenced to nine months in jail, but the sentence was stayed and she was placed on probation for one year, according to state court records.

She must also pay court costs, a $500 fine and has been prohibited from employment as a caregiver for the elderly, according to the records.

According to the news release, on December 27, 2009 Williams punched in for her shift at the facility, operated by Lifecare Homes, Inc. at 5128 W. Midland Drive, at 10:56 p.m.

The facility is listed as Midland Terrace on the state's Bureau of Quality Assurance web site, which describes it as a community based residential facility providing care for advanced aged, developmentally disabled, emotionally disturbed, mentally ill and dementia/Alzheimer's patients.

When police responded to a 911 call from the facility at 1:08 a.m. they found an 88-year-old man, who suffered no injuries, on the floor. The man said he had fallen about 11 p.m. and that his calls for help went unanswered, according to the release.

Williams admitted to police that she left the facility to buy cigarettes and some personal items and that when she returned she saw police, became scared and left.

Williams, who also said she knew she was leaving the facility unattended and that her actions left its residents at risk, was terminated from her employment at the facility, according to the release.