The MFCU, which investigated and recommended charges in the case, charged Kylah Beard, a certified nursing assistant, and Delilah Clayburn-Hill, a registered nurse, with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver resulting in death, according to a Jan. 8 news release.
Hopemont Hospital is a 98-bed long-term care facility, according to its website.
The investigation determined that on Jan. 4, Ms. Beard helped the victim, 61-year-old Larry Hedrick, into a tub to give him a bath. However, authorities claim she “unreasonably failed” to check the water temperature, allegedly leaving Mr. Hedrick submerged for 47 minutes in 134-degree water.
Exposure to the hot water left Mr. Hedrick with second- and third-degree burns, as well as blisters to his legs and feet. Ms. Clayburn-Hill was allegedly informed of Mr. Hedrick’s injuries, but failed to provide appropriate treatment and therapy, “including, but not limited to, the use of pain medication,” the release said.
Mr. Hedrick was taken to West Penn Hospital Nursing-Burn Trauma Unit where he died due to his injuries on Jan. 12, 2024.
The MFCU is also investigating alleged actions of others who did not provide Mr. Hedrick with “hands-on” care following the incident.
“The West Virginia department of health facilities is fully cooperating with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and law enforcement as they investigate this case at Hopemont Hospital,” a spokesperson for the West Virginia department of health said in a Jan. 8 statement shared with Becker’s. “The individuals mentioned in the release were contract staff assigned to Hopemont Hospital. DHF immediately severed its relationship with these individuals. Due to the pending criminal matters, DHF will have no further comment at this time.”
Becker’s has reached out to Hopemont Hospital and will update this story should more information become available.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Jan. 9 at 9:08 a.m. CT.
