Casper, WY Julie Ann Cross, a 50-year-old nursing home employee, is facing serious allegations of abusing a patient by tying the resident’s head to a bed. The incident reportedly took place at a NOWCAP facility on July 14.
Cross has been charged with one count of felony intentional abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult and one count of misdemeanor false imprisonment. She appeared in Natrona County District Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty, with a judge releasing her on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
The alleged incident was discovered by a morning shift manager, who found a 53-year-old woman with her head tied down using a blue silk scarf. The employee intervened after realizing the situation and noted that the scarf took at least five minutes to remove.
Another staff member took photos of the knot Cross reportedly used to secure the patient’s head. When confronted, Cross suggested the scarf’s purpose was to prevent the resident from moving during the night.
In response to questions, Cross remarked that the resident’s hair was matted and had an odor. Cross was reportedly dismissed from her position shortly after the incident.
After the incident, Cross told police that the scarf was intended to keep the resident’s hair in a ponytail. She later stated it had somehow wrapped around the bed.
Her court appearance on Thursday confirmed her dismissal from the facility following the allegations.