Chemical Restraint prosecution
The Bakersfield Californian had an article about one of the defendants charged with over drugging patients at a nursing home causing three deaths. Debbi Gayle Hayes, a former pharmacist at a Lake Isabella nursing facility, has accepted a plea bargain that involves testifying against director of nursing and the nursing home doctor. All three worked at the Kern Valley Healthcare District's skilled nursing facility until they were arrested in February on charges of elder abuse and causing harm or death. Hayes pleaded no contest last week to conspiracy to obstruct justice. She was sentenced to three years probation and one year in jail, but the jail sentence won't be imposed if she cooperates truthfully in the case and completes her probation with no further problems.
The California Attorney General's Office alleged the trio played an instrutmental role in providing unnecessary drugs on at least 22 elderly residents as a means to control them. The mood-altering medications were used to stop their complaints and control them.
