Nurse Pepper-Sprayed Dementia Patient, Didn't Treat Him At Ocean Co. Facility, Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ — A licensed practical nurse has been charged with aggravated assault after she pepper-sprayed an 87-year-old dementia patient at Whiting Gardens in the face then left him without medical assistance for 46 minutes, Manchester police said Tuesday.

Lisa Erikson, 58, of Manchester, was arrested April 11 following an investigation into the incident that happened March 19 at the facility on Hilltop Road, Manchester Capt. Albert Vega said. In addition to aggravated assault she is charged with abandonment or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, he said.

Also charged in the incident are Celia Anetz-Sanzari, 58, of Manchester, the on-duty nursing supervisor, and Joshua Benner, 34, of Brick, a certified nursing assistant, Vega said. Both were charged with abandonment or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult, he said.

Police were called to Whiting Gardens for a report of an altercation between staff and a patient, Vega said.

Erikson told police the man, who suffers from dementia, depression, and anxiety, had become agitated and began damaging property within the facility, Vega said. She told police she used her personal pepper spray on the man in response to a perceived threat, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

The patient was then confined to his room until police and emergency medical personnel arrived.

When police reviewed surveillance footage, the video showed the patient damaging property at the nurses' station then walking down the hallway in a manner that did not appear aggressive or threatening, Vega said.

Erikson is then seen approaching the patient from behind and spraying the pepper spray directly to his face at extremely close range, and spraying him twice, Vega said.

The video then shows the patient falling to the floor, and he remained unattended for several minutes before being forcibly moved to his room by Benner with assistance from Erikson, Vega said.

The man remained in his room and was left without medical aid for approximately 46 minutes, Vega said, before Manchester EMS arrived and rendered medical assistance before taking the man to Community Medical Center for further evaluation.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office approved charges for Erikson, Benner and Anetz-Sanzari on April 2 and warrants were issued, Vega said.

Erikson, who was arrested April 11, was taken to the Ocean County Jail then released pending further court action, according to Vega and jail records.

"We take this opportunity to remind health care professionals and caregivers of the importance of following proper protocols when dealing with vulnerable populations, especially in long-term care facilities," Vega said. "Ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of every patient remains a top priority in our community."