Press-Republican

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
May 14, 2009

Elder abuse charged at Adirondack Medical Center's Mercy Nursing Home

Ex-worker at nursing home hit patient, AG says

By DENISE A. RAYMO

TUPPER LAKE — A former health-care worker is charged with abusing an 88-year-old bed-ridden resident at Adirondack Medical Center's Mercy Nursing Home.

John Ette, 42, a former certified-nurse aide, is accused of hitting, grabbing and punching the visually and dementia-impaired woman last October, leaving her with a broken collarbone and facial bruising.

Nursing Home staff noticed the woman's severe injuries the next morning and notified administrators and her family.

Ette was fired immediately following an internal investigation last October, AMC Communications Manager Joe Riccio said Thursday.

The probe also revealed that Ette did not follow the hospital's procedures and policies for reporting the incident, Riccio said.

"AMC Mercy self-reported the event to the State Department of Health, which referred the matter to the Attorney General's Office for further investigation," he said.

Ette was charged Wednesday by the Attorney General's Office with second-degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and willful violation of health laws.

He was arraigned before Tupper Lake Town Justice Leonard Young and sent to Franklin County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

If convicted, Ette could face a maximum of four years in state prison.

"Nursing-home care must be administered with the respect and professionalism that New York's seniors deserve," Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a news release.

"It is appalling when our dependent and vulnerable loved ones are victimized by the very people who are entrusted with their care."

Riccio said the victim continued to be a resident at the Nursing Home, and her family was notified of Ette's arrest.

He said the hospital and Nursing Home have a zero-tolerance policy on abuse and that all staff and employees are put through a rigorous screening and background check before they are hired.

Nothing in Ette's background indicated past instances of abuse, he said.

"We want to reassure families that we are taking the proper steps to protect the safety and well-being of our residents, patients and staff," AMC's Chief Financial Officer Patrick Facteau said.

"This isolated event is not a reflection of the dedicated and compassionate staff that does an excellent job of caring for our patients and residents."

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
  • City fire call

    Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.

    Updated: 2 hours
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix