Caregiver Arrested for Assault

Fox2Detroit reported the arrest of Tirrell Mercer, Jr. He was a caregiver at Villa at Green Lake Estates.  Police arrested him for assault and stealing the wedding ring of the finger of a resident. The attack allegedly happened just days after the woman moved into the facility. (Warning: the video contains images of the assault that may be distressing to some.) Caregiver assault is a major problem because of the stress and burden of short-staffing.

Kristine Tracy has been married to her husband Stan for nearly 50 years. On July 11, Stan could no longer take care of Kristine’s Alzheimer’s so she was placed in a nursing home at Villa at Green Lake Estates in West Bloomfield.  But days later, she was beaten.

“It’s the longest memory the two of us have. She never took it off,” he said. “Honestly, I would’ve liked to of gone in there and grabbed people by the throat and shaken them.”

At first, the nursing home lied and covered up the assault. The nursing home told Stan that Kristine’s injuries were because she fell.

Police said videotape showed Kristine was assaulted by an orderly who worked at the nursing home.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Tirrell Mercer, Jr. was charged with armed robbery, a felony, and elder abuse, a misdemeanor.

“When you run an organization like that and you abuse people that come out bruised, you are not doing any standard of care,” Stan said.

The police do have video of the beating but are not releasing it at this time. Meanwhile, Kristine’s ring is still missing.

“I would’ve liked to have given it to my granddaughter; I’d have liked to have worn it on a chain. I would just like to have it,” Stan said.

As an attorney representing nursing home residents for over 25 years, I often see these types of cases and can help. Call us.