New-Grad Nurse Indicted After Wheelchair-Bound Patient Found Dead on Patio
Updated 3/28/25
Amber Henderson, a 31-year-old nurse at the Avenue at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center, has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, tampering with records, and patient neglect, following the death of wheelchar-bound 84-year-old Alvera Meuti at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
The incident occurred in December 2024 when Meuti was found unresponsive outside the care facility, having apparently died from hypothermia. Initially, Henderson was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but further investigation led to the additional charges being filed.
The charges carry potential jail time if Henderson is convicted. The case remains ongoing as it proceeds through the judicial system.
Timeline of Events
- December 23, 2024, 8:40 p.m.: Staff last observed Meuti in her room during routine medication administration.
- 9:30 p.m.: Henderson, assigned to Meuti's care starting at 9:00 p.m., noticed the patient was missing but assumed she was with her brother. No immediate report was made.
- December 24, 2024, 6:30 a.m.: Henderson reported Meuti missing to colleagues, prompting a "code purple" alert. Minutes later, Meuti was found unresponsive on an outdoor patio. Attempts to revive her were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at South Pointe Hospital.
Investigation Findings
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner determined Meuti's cause of death as hypothermia due to prolonged exposure. During the investigation, Henderson disclosed she was a recent nursing graduate with approximately eight weeks of orientation—30 days on day shifts and two weeks on night shifts—before assuming full responsibilities. Standard orientation programs typically range from six to 12 weeks.
Local affiliate Fox8 received a statement from an official at the Avenue Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center:
“We are sorry for death of the resident and have expressed our condolences to the family. This continues to be an active investigation and therefore we are unable to comment further at this time.”
We will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
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