Police Probe Fatal Accident at Nursing Home

Christina Cole

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Police are currently investigating the death of a 72-year-old Alzheimer's patient who was fatally assaulted last week by another nursing home patient.

George Everhart died several minutes after a 73-year-old man had punched him during an altercation. The Sacramento Police had not learned about Everhart's death until three days after. State officials are now looking into the reason for the delay.

The autopsy will take another month. Then, the police will forward their investigation over to the Sacramento district attorney's office, said Terrell Marshall. State laws require either a law enforcement agency or ombudsman's office to be contacted immediately following a suspected case of elderly abuse at a care center. Administrator, Michael Degner, said he was "unaware of why it was not done" in this case.

The name of Everhart's attacker has not been released, as he has not been charged with a crime. Investigators say they believe he does not know what he did to Everhart.

In recent years, there have been reports of inadequate care and inaccurate or outdated medical records at Norwood Pines. State health inspectors found 27 health deficiencies at the facility during their most recent visit - more than any other nursing home in Sacramento County, according to federal data.