Westmoreland County caretaker accused of knocking elderly stroke survivor out of wheelchair
A Westmoreland County caregiver is facing charges after allegedly assaulting an elderly woman in her care.
People in the community told KDKA-TV that the suspect, Nicole Crusan, cares for many people in Latrobe. She was arrested earlier this week and is facing a slew of charges.
Police say the 71-year-old victim called 911, reporting her caregiver pulled her out of her wheelchair by her hair and dragged her across the floor at a home on Weldon Street in Latrobe.
"There was a physical disturbance and the female had been pulled out of a wheelchair onto the floor and assaulted," said Latrobe detective Matthew Reeves.
According to police paperwork, the victim has extreme difficulty with mobility and day-to-day tasks and hired a caretaker through the company CareSphere, which provides home care for care-dependent people throughout the state.
Police say Crusan had been caring for the victim for about seven months. The victim told police Crusan had been abusive in the past, but this week, it turned physical.
"She stated that she was pulled out of the wheelchair by her hair and knocked on the ground," Reeves said.
Police say the victim was then dragged across the floor, causing pain and bruising to her hip, leg and ankle, and causing a head injury.
When officers arrived, Crusan had already left the scene. She was later arrested at a home in Latrobe.
KDKA-TV reached out to CareSphere to learn more about Crusan's work history and current employment status.
In the meantime, police say abuse like this won't be tolerated.
"We do everything we can to protect the citizens of our community, especially the elderly," said Reeves.
Crusan faces charges including felony assault. She was taken to the Westmoreland County Prison, where she was released on bail.
