Colonial Heights Nursing Home: Doctor Faces Felony, 18 Staff Charged in Patient Death

Update 1/24/2025

On January 16, 2025, Dr. Gohar Abbasi was arrested and charged with elder abuse, a felony, stemming from allegations of negligence in patient care. The case centers around a high-risk patient who had recently suffered multiple fractures and required intensive care for his colostomy bags. According to prosecutors, Dr. Abbasi's actions – or lack thereof – put the patient at significant risk.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has been in the news for troubling reasons. The facility was recently involved in another serious incident where 18 employees were arrested in connection with the death of a 74-year-old patient. That case also centered around allegations of inadequate care 

The patient in question had been deemed incompetent by a psychologist from Virginia Commonwealth University. Despite this professional assessment, Dr. Abbasi allegedly declared the patient of sound mind and allowed him to sign himself out of the facility against medical advice. What makes this situation particularly troubling is that Dr. Abbasi reportedly made this determination without physically examining the patient.

The repercussions of Dr. Abbasi's alleged negligence became immediately apparent. The patient, who required hourly and daily care for his colostomy bags, was found homeless and wandering the streets in a precarious state. Witnesses reported seeing the individual dumping waste from his colostomy bag and displaying an extremely unsteady gait. The patient's family reported that he is positive for MRSA. 

Original article 12/23/2024

18 employees of the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Virginia have been charged for crimes related to the death of a 74-year-old patient. Those arrested include multiple nurses and the charges include felony abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, falsifying patient records, and obstruction of justice.

This case has brought to light serious concerns about elder care and the responsibilities of nursing home staff.

Key Details of the Case

The investigation began in October 2024 after a report of possible elder abuse and neglect was made by family members of a discharged patient. The patient died on October 29 while the investigation was ongoing. Police, along with the Attorney General's Elder Abuse Task Force and the Virginia Department of Health Professions, raided the facility on December 18, 2024.

• Victim: A 74-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and diabetes.
• Allegations: The prosecutor alleged:
  • Victim was left in her bed for days in her own urine and feces, not turned or changed, resulting in severe flesh wounds. 
  • The wounds were so severe that they allegedly caused sepsis, which ultimately led to the patient's death. 
  • The patient's foot was reportedly broken, and she was given incorrect medicine that "poisoned" her.
• Charges: 7 counts of felony abuse and neglect, 2 counts of misdemeanor abuse and neglect, 2 counts of obstruction, and 27 counts of falsifying patient records.
• Arrested: 16 out of 18 individuals with warrants have been arrested as of December 19, 2024. Notable individuals charged:
  • Shawonda Jeter (46): Administrator of the center
  • Danielle Harris (53): Nurse trainer
  • Kamesha Kittrell: Director of nursing
  • Shakima Brewer: Night nurse
• Facility Owner: Innovative Healthcare Management LLC owns Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and five other facilities in Virginia. The Colonial Heights facility has a 1 out of 5 star rating according to CMS. The company’s facilities have lower staffing levels than the national average and the company ranks in the bottom 15% of nursing home chains, per CMS overall ratings.

The case has been described by Judge James O'Connell as "gut-wrenching, aggravating, and horrendous". The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be forthcoming.

Nursing Leadership Under Scrutiny

Two central figures in this case have come under particularly intense scrutiny. Kamesha Kittrell, the director of nursing, and Shakima Brewer, a night nurse, were both denied bond due to the severity of their alleged roles in the incident.

Kittrell is accused of ensuring that staff signed off on training they had not actually received and falsifying records to indicate care was provided when it was not. These actions, if proven true, point to a deliberate attempt to deceive regulators and potentially cover up inadequate care practices.

Brewer, on the other hand, is specifically accused of falsifying records regarding the resident's wounds. This alleged action directly relates to the physical well-being of the patient and could have contributed to the tragic outcome.

The denial of bond for these two individuals underscores the seriousness with which the court is treating these allegations and the potential consequences for those in positions of responsibility in healthcare settings.

Nurses React to the Arrests

Many nurses took to social media platforms to give their opinions on the arrests of the nurses.

@the.nurse.erica Replying to @Sheila Galland Pay attention, nurses & nursing stridents! #nurse #news #update #healthcare #thenurseerica ♬ original sound - TheNurseErica

@opeylove #nursingstudent #nursingschool #nursing #nurse #nurselife #nursesofinstagram #nurses #rn #registerednurse #medical #studentnurse #doctor #nursepractitioner #nursesrock ##medicine #nclex #lpn #futurenurse #nursingschoolproblems #nurseproblems #healthcare #nursinglife #scrublife #nursehumor #hospital #medicalschool #medstudent #medschool #nursingstudents ♬ original sound - Opey Love

@shari_darlings What are your thoughts on the colonial grighs nursing home arrests? #nursesoftiktok #nurset#ltc #nursetok #fyp #foryoupage ♬ original sound - Shari

Broader Implications for Nurses and Elder Care

This case is part of a larger pattern of concerns about elder abuse in care facilities. In response to such issues, the Attorney General's office has established the Elder Abuse Investigation Center for Central Virginia. This center aims to enhance collaboration between agencies and improve the prosecution of elder abuse cases.

As this story continues to unfold, it serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities borne by nurses and other healthcare professionals and the tragic consequences when those responsibilities are neglected or falsified. It also highlights the need for companies to adhere to safe staffing levels.

The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for nursing home policies, staff training, and regulatory oversight across the industry. It underscores the need for vigilance, transparency, and a commitment to the highest standards of care in facilities entrusted with the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.