CARLISLE, Pa. — A Maryland man has been charged with assaulting a patient at a Cumberland County nursing home, authorities said this week.
Joseph Ikoghode, 47, of Elliott City, was employed by the Church of God Home in Carlisle at the time of the alleged attack, which North Middleton Township Police claim occurred Sunday night.
Ikoghode is accused of striking the victim in the face multiple times, police said. The victim required treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained in the attack.
The shift supervisor at the home contacted authorities after the alleged attack, according to police.
Ikoghode allegedly claimed that the patient was being aggressive, and struck him while he and two other nurses were attempting to move him from a chair to his bed. Ikoghode claimed he was protecting himself, according to police.
Investigators noted Ikoghode had no scratches or other marks, according to the criminal complaint affidavit.
Other staff at the hospital confirmed that the patient struck Ikoghode, whom they said retaliated by striking the victim in the face at least twice, according to police.
Ikoghode is charged with simple assault and neglect of a care-dependent person. He was transported to Cumberland County Prison after failing to post bail of $10,000 following his arraignment.
In a statement to FOX43, the Church of God Home said Ikoghode was not a full-time employee, but a temporary worker provided by a staffing agency.
"We are deeply saddened and regretful that a caregiver would lose control of their emotions and potentially cause harm to a resident," the Home said in a statement. "To clarify, the individual in question—a nursing assistant—was not a direct employee of our organization but was provided to us by a staffing agency to fill an open shift. We want to assure everyone that this individual will no longer be permitted in our building, whether through the current agency or any other agency with which they may be employed. The matter is now in the hands of the authorities, and as such, we will not be issuing further comments at this time."
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 27.
