Queens nursing home workers accused of abusing patient

A trio of medical professionals allegedly abused a disabled patient at a Queens nursing home and neglected to treat him as he lay on the floor bleeding from his head for more than 20 minutes.

Video surveillance footage obtained by the Daily News caught one of them heartlessly dragging the patient across a floor and at least one nurse failing to lift a finger to help.



Funmilol Taiwo, 34, and Eshe Agbonkpolor, 39, both nurses, and Emmanuael Ufot, 36, a health aide, were arrested Wednesday for their callous treatment of the helpless 51-year-old man, officials said

The atrocious incident occurred Oct. 23 at the Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway.

When the vulnerable patient, who suffers from mental and physical disabilities, fell on his back in a hallway next to a nurses’ station, no one rushed to help him, officials said.


Surveillance video showed Emmanuael Ufot putting on rubber gloves, grabbing the victim by his arm and dragging him back into his room.

Nurse Eshe Agbonkpolor (pictured) is charged with endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person and a willful violation of health laws.
STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
Funmilol Taiwo stood by as the patient lay bloody on the floor of the nursing home, prosecutors say.
The gotcha surveillance video showed Ufot putting on rubber gloves, grabbing the victim by his arm and dragging him back into his room.

About 25 minutes later, the victim emerged from the room bleeding from his head and his jaw, authorities said.

The video shows him writhing on the floor, struggling to get to his feet as his blood-soaked hospital gown appears to be torn and twisted around his neck.

Taiwo and Agbonkpolor ignored the patient for 20 minutes while working just a few feet away, officials said.


COURTESY OF THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
The disturbing video shows the 51-year-old disabled patient on the floor, bleeding from his head. None of the health care workers help him for 20 minutes.

COURTESY OF THE NYS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
The man, whose name was not released, suffered injuries to his head and neck and was taken to a hospital.
In the footage, Ufot grabs the man again, this time by the back of his gown, and tries to drag him back to his room.

The man, whose name was not released, suffered injuries to his head and neck and was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment, according to sources.

“My office will not tolerate nurses who callously fail to treat or endanger injured patients under their care,” said state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose office investigated the incident.

“Caregivers must know that we will vigorously prosecute behavior that endangers our most vulnerable citizen.”

ENGBERG TARA/ENGBERG TARA
On its website, Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a 200-bed facility, boasts being 'world-class care' that is 'redefining the rehabilitation experience.'
Taiwo, Agbonkpolor and Ufot were arraigned on felony charges of endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person and willful violation of health laws.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on their own recognizance following their arraignment at Queens Criminal Court.

All three were either fired or resigned from their jobs at the facility, officials said.

“We’re not sure the video will back up the allegations,” said Agbonkpolor’s attorney, Victor Knapp.

On its website, Peninsula Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a 200-bed facility, boasts of “world-class care” that is “redefining the rehabilitation experience.”