Nurse Charged After Bizarre ‘Demon’ Exorcism on Non-Verbal Resident

Image source: LehighValleyLive 

A disturbing incident at Gracedale Nursing Home in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, has led to the arrest of Octavia Lasha Robinson, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) employed through an outside agency. Robinson, 43, is facing charges of abuse of a care-dependent person, simple assault, and harassment after allegedly assaulting a non-verbal resident and claiming the victim had "demons" that needed to be removed.

Incident Details

According to the criminal complaint filed by Officer Zach Dugan of the Upper Nazareth Township Police Department, authorities were dispatched to Gracedale at approximately 3:22 a.m. after reports that Robinson had been in a resident's room for two hours and refused to leave.

Upon entering the room, Officer Dugan witnessed Robinson "standing over the victim with her fingers shoved in her mouth, stating that there were demons inside of the victim that needed to come out." Blood was observed on the victim's chest and bedding. He also noted that the victim was bedridden and non-verbal.

Robinson was immediately taken into custody and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital for an involuntary emergency health evaluation. She was later arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Alicia Zito, with bail set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 18.

Facility and Systemic Concerns

• Staffing and Oversight: The incident has raised questions about the screening and oversight of agency nurses. Gracedale, like many public nursing homes, relies on agency staff to fill persistent shortages.
• Reporting Delays: It reportedly took multiple 911 calls—made by a resident—before police responded. This delay has led to criticisms of the response.
• Administrative Response: County officials reportedly acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, and the county council discussed the matter in executive session.

This event has amplified calls for increased scrutiny of agency-hired medical staff, improved emergency response protocols, and greater accountability within elder care facilities. As the investigation unfolds, advocates for vulnerable patients are demanding safeguards to prevent such a horrifying breach of care from ever happening again.

Nurse.org will update this article as the case proceeds in court.

 

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Crime