Asst. AG On Death Of Elderly Woman: 'Her Backside Rotted Away, Her Bones Liquefied'
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HALLANDALE BEACH (CBSMiami) – The Broward Sheriff's Office, in coordination with Attorney General Pam Bondi's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, arrested the owner of a Hallandale Beach assisted living facility after an elderly woman died under her care.
Gail Victor, 64, is charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person by culpable negligence.
According to investigators, the 80-year-old woman "developed pressure ulcers on her buttocks, hips, sacrum and heels while under care at Bernadette's ALF, located in Hallandale Beach."
Detectives said Victor, a licensed practical nurse, not only failed to treat the victim but also falsified nursing notes.
Victor also allegedly concealed the extent and severity of the ulcers from others involved in the 80-year-old woman's care.
Authorities said the victim's condition worsened to the point she had to be taken to Aventura Hospital.
Just eight days after arriving at the hospital, the woman died as a result of cardio respiratory arrest, sepsis and osteomyelitis.
Assistant Florida Attorney General Arielle Demby-Berger said what Victor did to the victim was gruesome.
"Under the care of Ms. Victor, her backside rotted away, her bones liquefied." Demby-Berger said. "This was a horrendous manslaughter."
Victor has subsequently relinquished her license to the Department of Health.
When a family member asked that Victor be released without bond, Broward Judge Michael Davis wouldn't hear it.
"This was a heinous crime, a particularly heinous crime," the judge said.
He ordered Victor held on $20,000 bond.
She has to wear a GPS tracking device and is forbidden from having anything to do with anyone's health care.
If convicted on the first-degree manslaughter charge, Victor faces up to 30 years in prison.