Staff members at a Massachusetts nursing home “acted quickly and appropriately” following a deadly assault that led to one resident’s death and another’s arrest over the weekend, according to Athena Health Care Systems.
Athena, which manages the Oxford Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Haverhill, MA, where the assault happened, conducted an internal investigation following Saturday’s incident and declined to offer any further details.
“The Oxford’s heart goes out to the families of those involved in last night’s incident. Our center is making additional support services available to our staff and residents. The Oxford Center and staff are working with the Haverhill and State Police Departments in their investigation,” the company said in a statement to local media outlets. “Based on our initial internal investigation, our staff acted quickly and appropriately in the matter; we are unable to comment further or provide additional details.”
Athena also said in a statement to McKnight’s on Monday that it’s focusing on the “safety and well-being of our residents.”
Jose Veguilla, 83, has been charged with murder for the alleged assault and is accused of hitting 76-year old Robert Boucher in his head with a walker, CBS Boston reported. Boucher was rushed to a local hospital but later died from the injuries.
Veguilla was ordered to be held without bail and to undergo a competency evaluation during an arraignment on Monday.
