A caretaker at a Pennsylvania assisted living facility has been charged in the death of a 79-year-old man who was fed scalding hot breakfast cereal.
Alvador Thompson, 55, of Hatfield, Pa., allegedly poured a cup of hot cereal into the mouth of Ronald Myers on Oct. 8 at the Cambridge-Brightfield Assisted Living Facility in Hatfield Township.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said the cereal severely burned Myers' lip, tongue and the inside of his mouth. Thompson failed to report the incident for several hours, Ferman said.
Myers, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease and could not care for himself, spent three days in a local hospital and later died at home on Oct. 23 after he stopped eating due to the burns, Ferman said.
Thompson was charged with involuntary manslaughter, neglect of a care dependent person and related charges. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, a misdemeanor, she faces up to five years in prison.
Thompson waived her preliminary hearing on Wednesday and was released on $5,000 bail. Her arraignment has been scheduled for Aug. 5.
Norris Gelman, Thompson's attorney, declined to comment Thursday. Thompson was charged after detectives reviewed medical records and interviewed witnesses at the facility, Ferman said.
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