FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 24, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steven T. Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG MARSHALL ANNOUNCES ARRESTS OF NURSING HOME WORKERS FOR
INTENTIONAL NEGLECT OF AN ELDERLY PERSON IN CHEROKEE COUNTY
Attorney General Steven T. Marshall announced the arrests today of three former
employees of Cherokee Health and Rehab nursing home in Centre for the neglect of an
84-year-old resident of the facility. Michele Curry, 42, of Centre, was arrested this
morning and has been released on bond. Kacey Allen, 28, also of Centre, and Shawna
Rogers, 26 of Rome, Georgia, were arrested this afternoon.
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit presented evidence to a
Cherokee County grand jury resulting in indictments* on February 15 charging each
defendant with one count of Elder Abuse/Neglect in the second degree. It is alleged
that Curry, a licensed practical nurse, and Rogers and Allen, certified nursing assistants,
were responsible for the care of the bedridden resident throughout the night of
September 3, 2016 into the morning of the September 4. They all charted that they had
entered the room numerous times throughout the night. A review of the surveillance
video showed none of the three entered the room for approximately 11 hours. When the
resident was checked on, it was discovered that she had suffered approximately one
hundred ant bites. It is alleged this intentional neglect directly contributed to the
injuries to the resident.
Elder Abuse and Neglect II (Ala. Code 1975 ß13A-6-193) provides that any
person who intentionally abuses or neglects any elderly person is guilty of a class B
felony if the intentional abuse or neglect causes physical injury. A class B felony carries
a possible sentence of two to 20 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is responsible for
investigating and prosecuting providers who file false claims to the Alabama Medicaid
Agency, as well as for investigating and prosecuting allegations of abuse and neglect in
skilled nursing facilities.
Attorney General Marshall commended the staff and administration of Cherokee
Health and Rehab for their quick reporting of the incident and his Medicaid Fraud
Control Unit for the thorough investigation leading to the indictment of these
individuals and for seeking justice for the elderly resident.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
