LI Nursing Home Staff Abused Patient, Covered It Up: Attorney General

EAST MEADOW, NY — A former staff member of an East Meadow nursing home was indicted Wednesday on allegations he sexually abused a resident of the facility, and his director was also indicted on charges relating to covering up the abuse.

Daniel Persaud, 67, of Lynbrook, a former licensed practical nurse at Fulton Commons in East Meadow, was indicted on charges of third-degree sexual abuse, first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, second-degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly, incompetent or physically disabled person, willful violation of public health laws and forcible touching.

His supervisor, Carol Frawley, 69, of North Babylon, a former director of nursing at Fulton Commons, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, three counts of first-degree falsifying business records, and willful violation of public health laws.

“The charges against Daniel Persaud and Carol Frawley are disturbing and appalling, and that those tasked with the care of our most vulnerable could cause such harm violates the trust New Yorkers are expected to have in nursing homes,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Fulton Commons, Frawley and Persaud allegedly committed horrific abuses against a resident and knowingly hid those actions. These heinous crimes will not go unchecked — and my office will ensure these individuals are held accountable.”

According to James, between Oct. 1 and Nov. 26, 2020, Persaud sexually abused a resident of the Fulton Commons Care Center nursing home, located at 60 Merrick Ave. in East Meadow.

Frawley, acting on behalf of Fulton Commons, lied on internal records that should have shown the complaints against Persaud from residents and staff, James said. Frawley also failed to report complaints against Persaud to the state Department of Health, as required by law, James said.

The indictment alleges that, by failing to take proper action against Persaud, Frawley and Fulton Commons put its residents in danger.

Bruce Gendron, a vice president at the Grand Healthcare, the new parent company of Fulton Commons, confirmed that Persaud and Frawley no longer work at Fulton Commons. Gendron said that Grand Healthcare acquired Fulton Commons only within the last few months.

"That's a terrible thing that happened at the facility, and wouldn't be tolerated at our organization," he said.