Office of the Attorney General
Five Former Oakwood Caregivers Charged With Abuse Following Attorney General's Investigation

Attorney General Jack Conway and his Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control today announced that five former caregivers at Communities of Oakwood in Pulaski County, Ky. were charged on September 22, 2010 with Reckless Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult and Failure to Report Abuse under KRS 209 following the abuse of a mentally disabled resident in August of this year.

Charged in the case were 21-year-old Michael Whitaker of Mt. Vernon, 21-year-old William Keene of Somerset, 21-year-old Joshua Walters of Bronston, 22-year-old Robert Carosello of Ferguson and 21-year-old Brandon Cameron of Somerset.  All are former caregivers at the intermediate care facility for persons with mental disabilities in Somerset.

The complaints allege that on or about August 17, 2010, the defendants unreasonably confined a mildly mentally disabled resident in a room at Oakwood.  Once inside the room, the defendants recklessly inflicted injuries on the victim including bruising to his torso and neck.  None of the defendants notified the Cabinet of Health and Family Services of the suspected abuse immediately as required by KRS 209.030.  Once Oakwood administration became aware of the incident, approximately three days later, they sent the resident to the hospital and the Department of Community Based Services.

Summonses were issued for all of the defendants and all are required to appear in Pulaski District Court on October 14, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.  The Pulaski County Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution of this case.

The charges are a result of an investigation conducted by General Conway’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control, with assistance by employees of the Department of Community Based Services and the Office of the Inspector General. 

A criminal charge is an allegation only.  All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.