BAYVILLE, N.J. – A former nursing director at an Ocean County rehabilitation center has admitted striking a 77-year-old resident with a broom and then trying to cover up what happened.
Patricia Lindo-Ahono, 60, of Irvington, pleaded guilty to third-degree tampering with witnesses and fourth-degree assault upon an institutionalized elderly person, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced Friday.
Lindo-Ahono was the director of nursing at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Bayville when the assault happened on June 24, 2023. According to court documents and statements made during her plea, the 77-year-old victim was a resident under the facility’s care.
Nursing Director Struck Resident With Broom
State investigators said Lindo-Ahono assaulted the man by striking him with a broom.
The case did not end with the physical attack. Lindo-Ahono also admitted trying to induce another person to withhold information from authorities investigating what happened.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the conduct was a betrayal of the responsibility that comes with caring for vulnerable residents.
“Residents of our care facilities deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” Davenport said. “The defendant abdicated her responsibilities, assaulted a resident, and then attempted to cover it up.”
- Lindo-Ahono admitted striking a 77-year-old rehabilitation center resident with a broom.
- She also pleaded guilty to witness tampering after trying to get someone to withhold information from investigators.
- As part of the plea agreement, she will permanently give up her nursing license.
Lindo-Ahono entered the plea before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan in Ocean County.
Where did the assault happen?
The assault occurred at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Bayville, where Lindo-Ahono was serving as director of nursing at the time.
Plea Deal Calls for Probation, Not Prison
Under the plea agreement, state prosecutors will recommend three years of non-custodial probation rather than a prison sentence.
That recommendation comes with additional conditions. Lindo-Ahono would be required to complete court-ordered anger management classes and 50 hours of community service.
She will also permanently forfeit her nursing license.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
The plea agreement is a recommendation from prosecutors; the sentence will ultimately be imposed by the court.
Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney said the state intends to pursue abuse cases involving people placed in the care of institutions.
“Those entrusted with the care of vulnerable residents have a responsibility to protect them,” Cooney said. “We remain committed to ensuring that abuse of those in our care facilities and efforts to conceal that abuse do not go unchecked.”
Will Patricia Lindo-Ahono go to prison?
The state is recommending three years of non-custodial probation, along with anger management classes and 50 hours of community service. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
State Investigation Leads to Guilty Plea
The case was handled by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.
Detectives Alyssa Singh and Daniel Creighton conducted the investigation, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Deputy Attorney General Camille McKnight is prosecuting the case.
The state did not disclose additional information about the elderly resident’s injuries in Friday’s announcement.
The case is separate from another recent Ocean County elder-abuse prosecution involving a nursing facility employee in Manchester Township. In that case, Lisa L. Erikson pleaded guilty after surveillance footage showed an elderly resident being assaulted.
Together, the cases put renewed attention on abuse inside facilities where elderly and vulnerable residents depend on staff members for daily care.
How can suspected nursing home abuse be reported in New Jersey?
The Attorney General’s Office accepts reports of suspected Medicaid fraud, elder abuse and neglect through its online reporting system. Reports can also be made to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 609-292-1272.
Lindo-Ahono’s guilty plea resolves the criminal charges against her, but the final step in the case will come when she returns to court for sentencing in October.
Sources: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General release; New Jersey Medicaid Fraud Control Unit elder abuse reporting information
