{"id":125675,"date":"2022-05-08T13:35:56","date_gmt":"2022-05-08T17:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valorguardians.com\/blog\/?p=125675"},"modified":"2022-05-08T13:35:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-08T17:35:56","slug":"nurses-sentenced-after-hidden-camera-showed-veteran-gasping-for-breath-crying-for-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/?p=125675","title":{"rendered":"Nurses sentenced after hidden camera showed veteran gasping for breath, crying for help"},"content":{"rendered":"
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First Sgt James Dempsey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Somehow we missed the conclusion on this case when it happened back in March. We originally talked about retired National Guard Sergeant Major James Dempsey’s death nearly five years ago<\/a>. A US Navy veteran of WWII, Dempsey’s final moments were captured on hidden camera as the 89-year-old man died begging for help from nurses who clearly didn’t care. The case took so long to adjudicate because the use of the video evidence of the crime was challenged all the way to the Georgia State Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

WXIA out of Atlanta reports<\/a> on the conclusion of Sergeant Major Dempsey’s uncaring caretakers;<\/p>\n

Two metro Atlanta nurses are headed to prison and another is on probation for failing to save a dying man seen begging for help on a hidden camera video nearly eight years ago.<\/p>\n

During a virtual hearing Tuesday afternoon, Loyce Agyeman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, neglect to an elder person and concealing a death. DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris sentenced her to eight years in prison.<\/p>\n

A grand jury indicted Agyeman in 2018 with felony murder, which would have carried a potential life sentence. The district attorney\u2019s office reached a plea deal with the former nurse and the judge approved it.<\/p>\n

The sentence comes nearly five years after an 11Alive Reveal investigation uncovered hidden camera video that compelled law enforcement to arrest Agyeman and two of her former nursing homes colleagues for failing to save 89-year-old James Dempsey.<\/p>\n

In 2014, Dempsey admitted himself to Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation following hip surgery. He did not have dementia and was expected to return home after he recovered. His family said they purchased a special van and a hospital bed for their father after he recovered.<\/p>\n

He never made it home.<\/p>\n

On Feb. 27, 2014, Dempsey complained to nursing staff about his heart and difficulty breathing. Instead of checking his vitals, a hidden camera installed by Dempsey\u2019s family captured Agyeman telling him to stop pressing his call button for help and then leaving the room.<\/p>\n

During the hearing, DeKalb County District Attorney Deputy Chief Jeanne Canavan told the judge a nursing assistant later noticed the World War II veteran was unresponsive.<\/p>\n

Nurse Agyeman returned to the room at the time, but instead of starting CPR, she left for an hour to check if Dempsey requested a DNR, a \u2018Do Not Resuscitate.\u2019 When she finally confirms he did want his life saved in the event of an emergency, Agyeman still doesn\u2019t try to save his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight then and then and there. She had violated the standard of care. She had violated her duty to Mr. Dempsey. She did not try to save his life,\u201d said Canavan earlier this month to the judge, who heads the county\u2019s elder abuse division.<\/p>\n

In February, a judge sentenced nursing assistant Mable Turman to five years of probation. She pleaded guilty to concealing the death of another and neglect of an elder person and depriving an elder person of essential services.<\/p>\n

Another nurse, Wanda Nuckles is charged with depriving an elder person of essential services and concealing the death of another. The state claims she failed to immediately start CPR when she first arrived at Dempsey\u2019s bedside, too.<\/p>\n

The hidden camera video shows Nuckles and Agyeman only aggressively started CPR as paramedics arrived at the facility. \u201cThe point is they worked together to conceal the gross negligence and disregard for human life that caused Mr. Dempsey to die on that night,\u201d Canavan said.<\/p>\n

Judge Morris ordered Agyeman to arrive at the DeKalb County Jail on Thursday, March 31 to start her sentence. During a hearing on Wednesday, Nuckles was sentenced to a year in prison after the nursing supervisor pleaded guilty to concealing the death of another. The judge ordered her to arrive at the DeKalb County Jail on April 1 for her one-year sentence.<\/p>\n

Dempsey’s son said he’s glad it’s finally all over.<\/p>\n

“It’s been a long road. Relief that it’s finally over. The coverage was around the world. I saw a news article in Australia, Europe, Canada,” he said. “It’s been unbelievable. Thank you, thanks Channel 11. Hopefully, this is the end of the trial but maybe it’s not the end to helping other people, elderly people, that may need help, that, they are better cared for.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Much more at the source including a timeline of events that covers this eight year journey for justice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Somehow we missed the conclusion on this case when it happened back in March. We originally …