A 54-year-old former assisted living facility employee faces a murder charge for allegedly assaulting and killing an 88-year-old resident last month.
According to a news release from the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, on Sept. 24, officers responded to the Windsor Point Retirement Community on Broad Street to a report of an altercation. Police learned Cynthia Sellars, an employee at the facility, allegedly pushed resident Lillie Cooper onto the floor.
As a result of the assault, Cooper suffered critical injuries and was transported to WakeMed-Cary for medical treatment. According to an arrest warrant obtained by WNCN-TV, Cooper broke her left hip bone.
Sellars was initially charged with one count of assault on individuals with a disability.
Cooper eventually died from her wounds, and the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide due to assault.
Investigators reviewed the Medical Examiner’s report and consulted with the District Attorney’s Office. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, police said they obtained a felony warrant for Sellars on one count of murder. Officers booked her into the Johnston County Detention Center, and she remains held without bond.
Sellars was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Oct. 25.
From what I have witnessed, both as a caregiver and an observer is that the abuser is mostly a young adult with immaturity and anger issues which extend to the workforce, and from what I understand about caregiving, maybe these individuals who are under 25 years old should have a psychological clearance before being allowed to work with th most vulnerable population, both old and young..its not enough to do a background check because they are too young for a work history that details their behaviors and how they cope with stressful situations. I have seen enough to know that if at all possible, we ourselves should take care of our loved ones and bring in occasional help for assistance and respite getaways when needed..we have grown so selfish here in America that we feel comfortable letting our elderly relatives get battered in these facilities so we don’t have to cope..I find it to be truly shameful..Eastern cultures take care of their own, but we don’t here in western society..I wonder why? Just a few thoughts to ponder.
From personal experience with relatives that needed constant care – the people getting these jobs have zero compassion – they’re in it for the paycheck, and nothing more. From what I’ve seen, workers look at the patients as problems.
I’ve seen videos done with hidden cameras that made me ill.
I personally took my relative out of one of the supposed “best” care facilities, but it was too late. The abuse she suffered weakened her to the point of no recovery. Since I wasn’t a direct relative, no one cared to give me the answers I wanted.
It’ll be business as usual for these terrible people.
I hope I pass away before needing to go into any facility.