Two Nurse's Aides Arrested For Abusing Elderly Patients

Attorney General Spitzer today announced that nurse's aides in Orchard Park and Buffalo have been arrested for separate incidents involving an attack of an elderly female patient on Christmas Day and for slapping an elderly male patient with Alzheimer's disease on the face.

John Rammacher, a certified nurse's aide formerly employed at The Waters of Orchard Park, was one of two certified nurse's aides arrested earlier this week on patient abuse charges by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).

According to prosecutors, while attending to the patient on the night of December 25, 2001, Rammacher physically abused the 84-year-old resident by hitting her on the head and forcibly holding down her arms across her chest. The patient is unable to care for herself due to mental illness.

In addition to Rammacher, the MFCU's Buffalo Regional Office also arrested Valerie McCarter, an aide at the Niagara Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center in Buffalo. McCarter has been charged with striking a 72-year-old male Alzheimer's patient on the head with an open hand and sneaker and grabbing the resident by the throat. The incident occurred while McCarter was preparing the patient for bed on June 24, 2001.

Both defendants have been charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person and Wilful Violation of the Health Laws. If convicted, they each face up to a year in prison.

Spitzer thanked the state Health Department for referring the matters to his office.

Rammacher, 39, of 3138 Lake Heights Drive in Hamburg, was arraigned Tuesday night in Orchard Park Town Court. He was employed at The Waters of Orchard Park, located at 6060 Armor Road in Orchard Park, from July 2001 to December 2001, when he was terminated.

McCarter, 44, of 390 Northumberland Avenue in Buffalo, was arraigned Tuesday in Buffalo City Court. He was employed at Niagara Lutheran Nursing Home, located at 64 Hager Street in Buffalo from November 1998 to June 2001, when she was terminated.

Special Assistant Attorneys General Gary A. Baldauf and Toinette M. Randolph are prosecuting the cases. Senior Special Investigator Joseph R. Coyne assisted on both investigations.

The charges against the defendants are mere accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.