A caregiver at a senior living community in Georgia has been charged with neglect, aggravated battery and murder, all felonies, after he allegedly hit a 91-year-old resident and then refused to help him. The resident later died.
Officers with the Cobb County Police Department were called to a local hospital on Aug. 15 after a man arrived via ambulance from Sunrise at East Cobb, an assisted living and memory care community in Marietta, GA, Sgt. Dana Pierce reported in an incident brief he shared with McKnight’s Senior Living.
“When officers arrived, they met with hospital staff, who told them that the victim, identified as 91-year-old Adam Bennett of Marietta, GA, had injuries which were not consistent with what they were told,” Pierce said. Bennett’s injuries included broken ribs, a lacerated kidney, a punctured lung and bruising, according to an arrest report referenced by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“As a result of their investigation, detectives determined that the victim had been assaulted by a staff member at the care facility,” Pierce said.
Landon Terrel, 33, was arrested Aug. 16. Bennett died Friday as a result of his injuries, and then charges against Terrel were upgraded. He told police that he hit Bennett in the torso and then did not help him or call for assistance, according to the arrest report.
The case is still under investigation, Pierce said. Terrel is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
A spokesperson for Sunrise Senior Living said in a statement to McKnight’s Senior Living that Terrel no longer is employed by the company and that the company is cooperating with local authorities.
“Our cherished residents’ safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we are deeply devastated by this tragedy,” the statement said. “The misconduct that has been alleged goes against the high standard of care we expect from our team members.”
