Home health aide allegedly attacks Alzheimer’s patient, cleans bloody scene while he lay dying
A home health aide in New York is accused of striking an elderly Alzheimer’s patient in her care with a wooden object and then cleaning up his bloody home as he was dying, authorities said.
According to Nassau County police, Gail Godwin, 63, allegedly hit 83-year-old John Busch at a Garden City residence on the evening of Dec. 27.
“Gail Godwin did not call for an ambulance, did not get any further medical attention for this man and instead attempted to clean up the blood around the house caused by her assault,” Nassau Detective Sgt. Steve Fitzpatrick said, WCBS-TV reported.
“Apparently, the victim was in an elderly state,” Fitzpatrick said. “He was aggressive at times and she just lost her temper at this point and hit him.”
Busch, who was on prescribed blood thinners, suffered a head laceration in the alleged attack and died from his injuries.
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According to WCBS-TV, Godwin’s attorney, Bruce Barket, said his client, who reportedly worked with Busch for 18 months, didn’t immediately call emergency responders for help because the ailing man “was mobile and actually moved around and seemed okay.”
“Once it became apparent that there was a problem, she called the police,” Barket said. “It seems like it’s a tragic accident that took place.”
Godwin was charged with second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, police said.
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