Windsor Locks nursing home resident who died was outside in freezing cold for over 3 hours, police say

Windsor Locks nursing home resident who died was outside in freezing cold for over 3 hours, police say
Western Mass News
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WINDSOR LOCKS, CT. (WFSB) - A Windsor Locks nursing home remains under investigation following the death of a 93-year-old woman who wandered outside and was found unresponsive in the snow.

Margaret Healey died on Sunday after walking out of Bickford Healthcare early that morning. Police said no one at the facility noticed she had left.

Surveillance video confirms Healey left the care facility through an employee entrance near the back of the building at around 1:50 a.m. and was located by staff members about three hours and 17 minutes later, according to the police department.

Following an investigation, it was also revealed that the employee door was not equipped with “wander guard” that would alert staff members but they say it is designed to stay closed and locked.

Police also mentioned that a keypad near the door requires a code in order to be able to exit but they were told that sometimes the door is left propped open.

However, there is an access code that is also displayed by the keypad.

On Wednesday, Healey’s family spoke out after learning the newly released information into the case and provided Eyewitness News with a statement that reads:

“The recent release raises more questions than it answers. However, given that she was outside for three hours and 17 minutes in below zero weather she could not possibly have been found alive. The family hopes that she died quickly and without pain and await the results of the police further investigation.”

Investigators returned to the nursing home on Tuesday as new details emerged about the company’s financial troubles. Bickford Healthcare is in foreclosure and owes the town more than $100,000.

Police are examining why staff did not call 911 immediately after discovering Healey was missing. She was wearing an alert device at the time.

“We did a presumptive test on it and it did work. Whether it worked at that moment or there was some type of electronic glitch that we don’t know. We are trying to verify that with the vendor,” said Paul Cherniak, Lieutenant, Windsor Locks Police Department.

Healey’s niece, Clare Kindall, said the family has concerns about the circumstances.

“As a family, we are all grieving about this. Obviously, we have some pretty significant concerns. It was bitterly cold that night. It was below zero degrees without windchill. She was out in her pajamas and sneakers,” she said.

Bickford Healthcare issued its first public statement since Healey’s death.

“We are currently working with state and local authorities to assist them in completing a thorough investigation of this tragedy and comply with additional safeguards as needed,” the company said.

An attorney for Bickford said if the company cannot pay its debt to the town with interest, there will be an auction. A date has been set for April.

The investigation has disturbed families with loved ones at Bickford. They worry about safety and the possibility the facility could close, forcing them to find alternative care.

“Change for people that age is very hard. She gets hospital delirium very easily in fact I have a do not hospitalize order for her,” said a family member who has someone at the facility.

Police said they are not ruling out criminal charges. A special meeting was scheduled for Monday evening with family members, state lawmakers and an ombudsman to address complaints.

No further details were released.

Eyewitness News will provide more details as soon as they become available.

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