McCandless nursing home employees charged after patient injured during dispute

Two McCandless nursing home employees have been arrested after a 75-year-old patient was injured during an argument, according to police.

McCandless police charged laundry attendant Lily Asubonteng, 19, of Pittsburgh with aggravated assault for allegedly pushing the patient to the ground during an argument at about 2 a.m. on June 11 at Grace Manor along Babcock Boulevard, according to court records.

“There was a verbal confrontation between a member of the laundry staff and the patient and he was pushed to the ground,” McCandless police Chief Dave DiSanti said.

The patient, whose name was not released, was taken to UPMC Passavant in McCandless for treatment of chest injuries.

Police learned about the incident after they were notified by the hospital staff, DiSanti said.

An aide at the nursing home, Amy Caporizzo, 51, of Pittsburgh was charged with neglect of care for allegedly leaving the patient alone for several hours and waiting to report the incident.

“You have an obligation to render aid and to report in a timely fashion when an individual is injured,” DiSanti said.

Arrest warrants were issued for the women on Monday, the chief said.

“One of women was located by a detective who took her into custody and the other woman was contacted by telephone and turned herself in at the police station this morning (Wednesday),” DiSanti said.

Caporizzo faces a preliminary hearing June 19 before McCandless District Judge William Wagner.

Asubonteng is scheduled to appear before the judge on July 3.