Nursing home worker accused of slapping patient, causing them to fall out of wheelchair

MONONGAH, W.Va. (WDTV/Gray News) - A woman was arrested for allegedly slapping a patient and causing them to fall out of a wheelchair at a West Virginia nursing home, deputies say.

Desiree Heater, 34, of Barrackville, has been charged with abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies responded to the St. Barbara’s Nursing Home in Monongah on May 22. An administrator showed deputies footage of Heater allegedly assaulting the patient on May 19.

The security footage showed Heater slapping the patient in the wheelchair with her right hand before walking away. Heater then came back and pulled the wheelchair in a manner that caused the patient to fall forward out of the seat, court documents said.

The patient was taken to a hospital for treatment, deputies said.

Heater was booked into the North Central Regional Jail.