West Virginia Files Charges Against Hospital Nurses In Relation To A Patient’s Death, Non-verbal Patient Allegedly Left In Scalding Hot Bath

West Virginia has announced that they have pressed criminal charges against nursing staff members in relation to the tragic death of a non-verbal patient in January 2024.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has filed criminal charges against two members of the nursing staff at Hopemont Hospital. The charges come after an investigation conducted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). The charges were approved by Preston County Prosecuting Attorney Jay Shay and his team, who will be responsible for prosecuting the case.

Kylah Beard, a certified nursing assistant from Morgantown, and Delilah Clayburn-Hill, a registered nurse from Buckhannon, were both charged with felony neglect of an incapacitated adult by a caregiver resulting in the death of the incapacitated adult.

Hill and Beard will make their first appearance in Preston County Magistrate Court on January 29th at 2 p.m.

“This is a very disturbing case and there needs to be accountability for the horrific death of the victim, Mr. Larry Hedrick, who was supposed to be under the care of medical professionals,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Our MFCU investigators and our office will assist Prosecutor Shay and his team in any way we can to make sure justice is served.”

During the MFCU’s investigation into the incident on January 4, 2024, it was found that Beard assisted Hedrick, who was 61 years old, in getting into a tub for a bath. However, she negligently failed to check the water temperature gauge. As a result, Hedrick, who needed constant care, was left submerged in water that was 134 degrees hot for a duration of 47 minutes.

The man reportedly suffered second- and third-degree burns and blisters on his feet and legs as a result of being exposed to the scalding hot water for an extended period of time.

According to reports, Hill had been made aware of the burns and blisters, but investigators found several lapses in her care. These included a failure to provide the necessary treatment and therapy for the injuries, including pain medication.

Hedrick succumbed to his injuries on January 12, 2024, and was subsequently transferred to the West Penn Hospital Nursing-Burn Trauma Unit.

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