Home health aide arrested for stabbing 84-year-old patient, police say
By Mark Prussin, Jennifer McLogan
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NEW YORK CITY (WCBS, WLNY) — A home health care aide from New York City is under arrest for allegedly stabbing and critically injuring an 84-year-old patient at her home on Long Island.
Amanda Fraser was charged with attempted second-degree murder in connection to the elder abuse case in Massapequa, Nassau County Police said Thursday.
CBS News New York confirmed the 23-year-old suspect from Queens worked out of Aides At Home. Managers in the senior and elder care provider’s Hicksville office said the stabbing was a tragedy and an isolated incident.
“The investigation is ongoing. We’re cooperating fully,” a manager said.
Fraser was hospitalized after her arrest to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, sources told CBS News New York. She will be arraigned when medically practical.
The victim, identified as Wendy Wilson, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Her son said she underwent surgery and was expected to survive. Her 85th birthday is in November.
Home health aide charged with stabbing patient in bed The stabbing happened Wednesday at Wilson’s home on Bay Drive and Merrick Road.
According to Wilson’s son, Fraser, her overnight home health aide, was seen on surveillance video getting into her bed and stabbing her. She allegedly tried to drive away, but crashed in the driveway and ran away.
Another aide, arriving for the morning shift, discovered blood and a knife on the floor, then found Wilson stabbed in the chest in her bed, her son said.
Wilson’s neighbors and others in the community were left shocked and full of sorrow after the attack.
“She had dementia and her daytime helper would sit out on the lawn with her, and she wouldn’t speak at all,” one person said.
“I think we can all relate to it. I think we all need help, assistance with people, and really just hope that she makes it,” said another.
While police were on the scene searching for the suspect, Massapequa High School and Birch Lane Elementary School were placed under a secure lockdown for about 90 minutes as a precaution.
We reached out to the New York State Health Department, which oversees Aides at Home. They said there have been no enforcement actions in the last 10 years.
Naveen Dhaliwal contributed to this report.
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