Former North Austin nursing home employee accused of assaulting patient

AUSTIN, Texas - A North Austin Nursing Center employee has been arrested after police said she assaulted a 90-year-old disabled patient. The patient was later taken to a hospital because she was having difficulty walking.

44-year-old Carly Vondra, a former certified nurse's assistant, is being charged with injury to a disabled individual.

This stems from an incident back in May at Gracy Woods I Nursing Center. Austin Police responded to an assault call there after a 90-year-old patient made an outcry to her physical therapist. In an interview with police, she said she was beaten for wetting the bed and was told by Vondra that she wears too many pull ups.

In court documents the patient describes what happened: saying she was turned on her stomach and hit in the back several times. A few days later, she was taken to the hospital after reportedly having difficulty walking.

But, it could not be determined if this was a result of the alleged assault. The 90-year-old woman initially referred to the employee as the "new girl" with brown,reddish hair. Her daughter then located pictures of Vondra on some public websites.

When showing them to her mother, she reportedly informed her it was the woman who beat her. Gracy Woods I Nursing Center staff determined Vondra was caring for the patient the night of the incident. They said she is no longer employed there.

The Department of Aging and Disability Services said since June 1, 2012 there have been five complaints alleging abuse at this facility. All complaints were unsubstantiated, and none resulted in enforcement action against the facility. DADS conducts investigations of long-term care facilities.

Their website shows 11 deficiencies that have been cited at Gracy Woods Nursing Center, the oldest from December 2015. Deficiencies include: the facility failing to store, prepare, and serve food under sanitary conditions, not developing a complete care plan that meet's all of a resident's needs and not making sure the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable. All of those deficiencies have since been corrected.

The family tells FOX 7 the 90-year-old woman's health has declined. They're asking for prayers. If abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred in a long-term care facility, you're urged to call the DADS hotline at 1-800-458-9858. Callers can remain anonymous.