Court Rules on Sitter Who Hit Paralyzed Man with a Remote

Washington D.C.: A 76-year-old patient sitter was sentenced to 24 months of probation for striking a 68-year-old paralyzed patient with a hospital bed remote control at Southeast Washington Hospital United Medical Center.

Eleanor Flowers was sentenced on Dec. 10 for criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult and attempted threats stemming from a Jan. 4, 2021, incident, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Columbia.

Superior Court Judge Deborah J. Israel ordered Flowers to "stay away from the victim and is prohibited from working, volunteering, or participating in any activity involving the elderly, vulnerable, cognitively disabled, or children, to include activities in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, urgent care, and daycare," the release stated.

Court documents and trial evidence showed that Flowers, while employed as a patient sitter, repeatedly struck the 68-year-old victim with the hospital bed's remote controller during an attempt to change his 'soiled clothing.' The victim, classified as a 'vulnerable adult,' had previously suffered a stroke, was paralyzed on one side of his body, and was unable to speak at the time.

"The assault was captured on cellphone video by another Patient Sitter in the room, who witnessed the abuse," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"The video showed Flowers' repeated strikes, causing visible distress to the victim. Flowers was terminated from her position following the incident, which was reported to hospital authorities and subsequently investigated by the D.C. Office of Inspector General," the release continued.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas announced the sentencing and "commended the efforts of those who investigated and prosecuted the case." The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office handled the case prosecution.