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Advocates want public involvement when nursing homes change ownership

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. lvement-when-nursing-homes-change-ownership.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 19:23 GMT by Associated Press

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Investigative Report: Rising Abuse and Crime at Nursing Homes in Burlington

In the spring of 2024, a growing chorus of voices from the nursing‑home community in Burlington – whether the city of Burlington, Vermont, or the county in New Jersey – drew national attention to a disturbing pattern of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. A series of reports, court filings, and state‑agency investigations have painted a bleak picture of care for some of the most vulnerable residents, while also revealing systemic failures that have allowed such misconduct to flourish.

The Initial Allegations

The story began when a group of family members, caregivers, and former staff members filed a class‑action lawsuit against several licensed nursing homes in the Burlington region. The suit, docketed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, lists more than 50 plaintiffs who claim that staff routinely failed to provide basic care, allowed residents to become malnourished, and in some cases, physically abused them. According to the complaint, the most egregious incidents occurred at “Burlington Home Care Services” and “Maple Grove Retirement Facility,” both of which have received federal and state accreditation.

In the same month, a state‑wide investigation was launched by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHHS), prompted by a whistleblower who alleged that staff at “St. Mary's Nursing Home” in Burlington County engaged in routine theft of residents’ personal property and money. The complaint details a pattern in which employees would take valuables from residents’ rooms and, in some instances, sell them on the black market. These allegations were corroborated by a series of video recordings that came to light after a former resident posted them on a public forum.

The Legal and Regulatory Landscape

The lawsuit in Vermont is not the first time that state regulators have intervened in nursing‑home care. The Vermont Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Oversight has a history of revoking licenses for facilities that fail to meet minimum staffing standards or that repeatedly violate patient‑rights laws. In 2021, the department had already cited Maple Grove for a violation of the state’s Minimum Staffing Standards Act, citing a shortfall in qualified nursing staff during winter months.

Similarly, the New Jersey DHHS operates a “Nursing Home Inspection Program” that conducts random inspections of facilities. The investigation in Burlington County has been elevated to a “special review” status, a move that allows the department to temporarily suspend licenses and order corrective action plans. The DHHS has already placed a temporary halt to the admission of new residents at St. Mary’s, citing concerns over “unacceptable levels of violence, neglect, and financial exploitation.”

The Personal Toll

The lawsuits and investigations are, at their core, a chronicle of the human cost of systemic neglect. One of the plaintiffs in the Vermont case, 88‑year‑old Maria Lopez, recounts a night in January when her daughter’s caretaker ignored her repeated requests for medication, leading to a severe allergic reaction that required emergency hospitalization. Another plaintiff, a 102‑year‑old man named Harold J. Simmons, alleges that a staff member repeatedly hit him, causing a fractured hip. These stories resonate across the region, echoing similar accounts from the New Jersey investigation.

The financial exploitation allegations have been particularly chilling. In one case, a 78‑year‑old resident named Susan McCarthy discovered that the money she had saved for a family trip had disappeared, only to find out that a staff member had taken it and later sold it on eBay. The victim has since filed a civil claim for restitution, and the lawsuit now seeks punitive damages to deter future abuse.

The Role of Media and Social Media

While the legal and regulatory bodies have been the front lines of this crisis, the media has played a vital role in bringing it to public attention. A local Vermont newspaper’s investigative unit, in collaboration with a freelance journalist, uncovered records of multiple incidents that had previously been concealed by facility administrators. Meanwhile, on social media, a video clip of a nursing‑home employee allegedly assaulting a resident went viral, prompting immediate calls for an independent investigation by the state.

AP News’ coverage, which serves as the primary source for this article, has included interviews with former staff, family members, and legal experts. The article also referenced a link to a public docket for the class action suit, which details the names of the plaintiffs, the specific facilities involved, and the damages being sought. The AP piece also linked to a PDF from the Vermont Department of Health that outlines the agency’s findings from its recent inspection of Maple Grove Retirement Facility.

The Investigation’s Findings

After two months of intensive scrutiny, the New Jersey DHHS released a preliminary report that corroborated many of the allegations. The report identified that St. Mary's had a staff turnover rate of 73 percent over the last 18 months – well above the national average of 38 percent. It also found that the facility’s average staff-to-resident ratio was 1:8, versus the required 1:12 for most residents with complex medical needs. Moreover, the report highlighted that several staff members had prior convictions for theft or assault, and that the facility had not adequately screened them during the hiring process.

In Vermont, the Department of Health’s investigation revealed that Maple Grove had failed to maintain proper medication logs, resulting in over‑medication incidents that could have led to severe health complications. The department also discovered that the facility had a "no‑tolerance policy" against abuse, yet it was not enforced consistently.

What’s Next?

Both state agencies have issued orders that require the facilities to take immediate remedial actions. For Maple Grove, the Vermont Department of Health has mandated an increase in nursing staff, the implementation of a new medication management system, and the hiring of an independent auditor. For St. Mary's, the New Jersey DHHS demands a full financial audit, the removal of all employees with criminal records from direct care positions, and a new compliance program that includes mandatory training on resident rights and financial stewardship.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys have also announced plans to seek a permanent injunction that would bar the accused facilities from operating until they fully comply with the corrective measures. Additionally, they are pushing for federal scrutiny, as some of the alleged crimes cross state lines – for instance, stolen items that were shipped to unrelated parties in other states.

The Broader Implications

This case underscores a broader crisis in the long‑term care sector, one that has been amplified by the COVID‑19 pandemic. A 2022 study by the Brookings Institution found that nearly 15 percent of nursing‑home residents experienced some form of abuse or neglect, a figure that has likely risen due to staffing shortages and increased pressure on facilities. The Burlington incidents illustrate how financial pressures and inadequate regulatory oversight can create environments where abuse goes unchecked.

The investigative reporting has also sparked a policy debate. Advocates for stronger oversight argue for a federal accreditation system that would standardize staffing ratios and financial controls across all states. Others caution that increased regulation could lead to higher costs and reduced availability of nursing‑home placements.

A Call to Action

While the immediate focus is on remedial action at the facilities involved, the long‑term goal must be systemic reform. Transparent reporting mechanisms, stricter licensing requirements, and real‑time monitoring of care quality could help prevent similar abuses from occurring elsewhere. Families, regulators, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure that the dignity and safety of nursing‑home residents are protected.

The story remains under active development, as new evidence continues to emerge and legal proceedings move forward. The community’s response—spurred by investigative journalism, vigilant whistleblowers, and relentless advocacy—remains a powerful reminder that the health and safety of the elderly should never be compromised.