Chicago Home Health-Care Nurse Knew Cerebral Palsy Teen was Victim of Neglect
A 74-year-old at-home nurse has been ordered to serve a 2-year probation sentence and 60-days of community service for failing to tell authorities that a South Side teen was the victim of neglect. The boy had cerebral palsy and died of sepsis because he had bedsores that became infected after they were not treated.
Morris Lee Brinkley pleaded guilty to not reporting neglect or abuse, as well as to the criminal neglect of a disabled person. Prosecutors originally wanted her to serve a 12-year prison sentence.
Brinkley worked as a nurse for over 50 years. She cared for the disabled teen on weekends. She acknowledged that she was aware that the teen was malnourished, was left in his excrement, and suffered from bedsores. She also conceded that she knew that the boy’s mother would cancel his doctor appointments.
The boy’s mother, Kesheia Phillips and Loren Brown, another nurse, also face charges related to his death.
Last March, Phillips took Jaylen to the hospital because he was experiencing difficulty breathing. He died in May 2008. Autopsy results indicate that the teen was severely malnourished. Authorities are calling his death a homicide.
Chicago Nursing Negligence
Our Chicago nursing negligence law firm represents injured parties and their families with neglect and abuse cases against Illinois nursing homes or at-home professional caregivers and nurses. Private nurses and Chicago nursing homes are responsible for the care of their patients. Failure to provide that care can be grounds for an Illinois nursing home neglect claim.
In-home nurse gets probation for role in neglect death, Chicago Tribune, June 23, 2009
Severely Disabled 13-Year-Old Died From Neglect, Chicagoist.com, May 22, 2008
Please contact our Chicago personal injury law firm today.
