(Photo from Glassdoor.com)
By Howard Packowitz
CHENOA – Operators of a Chenoa nursing home are defending their actions in the midst of a criminal probe into the alleged abuse of six residents, and they are challenging a fine imposed by a state agency for not protecting those residents.
The Meadows Mennonite Home released a statement Wednesday claiming the person who posted inappropriate and unauthorized pictures and videos of the residents on social media is not associated with the nursing home.
The statement also claims the McLean County Sheriff’s Department is investigating two former nursing home employees for their alleged role in the abuse.
The statement goes on to say that Meadows staffers immediately contacted the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Sheriff’s Department when they learned of the social media posts.
“We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as they investigate and act on this case,” the statement said.
However, the Meadows home has requested a hearing to contest a $25,000 fine from the public health department.
The department took the action in May and released its findings Tuesday as part of the agency’s quarterly report.
The Meadows home said it is conducting its own investigation to learn from what occurred and how to prevent similar instances in the future.
Meadows home operators said they will not allow “dysfunctional behaviors of several individuals to overshadow the many positive and compassionate behaviors of the many employees and residents at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community.”
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
