Yukon Caretaker Charged With Abuse

Charges have been filed against a caretaker in Yukon for the alleged abuse of an elderly nursing home resident.

Joe Allen Gordon, 58, a former certified nurse aide at Ranchwood Nursing Center in Yukon, was charged in Canadian County District Court with one count of abuse by caretaker.

Read more about the charge.

According to the charge, on November 27, 2011 Gordon allegedly used a bed sheet to tie an 89-year-old nursing home resident to her chair.

Both state law and nursing home policy prohibit the use of restraints on residents for purposes of convenience. Physical restraints may only be used under doctor's orders and with written patient consent.

In 1999, the Oklahoma Legislature enacted the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim's Protection Program, which mandates 30 days in jail for someone convicted for caretaker abuse.

If convicted, Gordon could face up to 10 years in jail and or a fine of up to $10,000.  

Attorney General Scott Pruitt's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has statewide jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute provider fraud and patient abuse and neglect in any Medicaid provider facility.

Anyone with information regarding provider fraud or patient abuse can contact the Attorney General's Office at (405) 521-4274 or (918) 581-2885.