3 Ex-Workers Arrested After 2 Sandy Springs Nursing Home Deaths

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Three former nursing home employees in Sandy Springs are behind bars following three separate incidents that resulted in the deaths of two residents and injuries to two others, Sandy Springs police announced Friday.

Jeffrey Smith, Katrina Perkins and Tiffany Taylor are facing multiple charges, including aggravated battery, felony elder abuse and elder neglect. They are former workers of Sandy Springs Place Senior Living Center, which is at 1260 Hightower Trail.

An initial investigation is launched in May

According to police, an investigation into the nursing home began on May 10, 2020 following a complaint stemming from an April incident. Detectives said they learned through the family members of the victim, 79-year old John Furman, that in early April, while in the care of the facility, he was found on the floor after suffering from a fall.

As a result of this fall, police said Furman suffered a laceration to his head and massive bruising to his face. Staff members reported this fall and injuries to the facility manager, Katrina Perkins as well as to the facility director, Jeffrey Smith, police said.

Police said that both the director and manager of the facility failed to notify EMS or the Furman’s family. Due to the injuries, police said Furman’s health started to decline rapidly; however, family members were unaware and not allowed to visit him due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A third-party nurse was brought in by the center to look at severe pressure ulcers on the victim resulting from not being turned properly. This third-party nurse took pictures of the ulcers after becoming concerned and sent them to the family, police said.

As a result of these injuries and ulcers, police said family members made arrangements to have Furman removed from the facility. On the day he was to go home, police said the facility did not perform a bedside swallow examination, and Perkins gave him a doughnut to eat.

Since the swallow test to assess the risk for dysphagia was not carried out, police said Furman choked with the doughnut and died two days later. During an autopsy performed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, pieces of dough were found in the victim’s throat area. The FCMEO ruled the cause of death to be asphyxia with the manner of death being ruled as accidental.

Following the investigation, Smith and Perkins were both charged with felony neglect of an elder person at a facility.

Police launch a second investigation two months later

On July 17, 20120, the Sandy Springs Police Department launched a second investigation at the Sandy Springs Place Senior Living Center after police said an employee, Tiffany Taylor, physically assaulted Roy Onan, an 81-year-old resident at the facility, after a verbal argument.

During this incident, police said Taylor was accused of pushing Onan to the ground and breaking his hip. Due to his injuries, police said Onan was removed from this facility and transferred to a rehab center where he contracted the COVID-19 virus.

After he was released from the rehab center, officers said Onan moved home with family members and was unable to walk again. He ultimately died the second week of October.

Following the investigation, police said Taylor was charged with aggravated battery and felony elder abuse/ neglect.

A third investigation is launched in mid-October

On October 17, 2020, the Sandy Springs Police Department launched a third investigation at the Sandy Springs Place Senior Living Center after police said two residents were found with injuries.

According to police, the investigation revealed two residents got into a fight, which resulted in both residents receiving injuries. One of the residents, Alan Staines. was found lying on the ground with visible injures while the second resident, Servillano Avelino, received contusions to his head, police said. Both residents are elderly with one being confined to a wheel chair.

During the altercation, police said the facility did notify family members and both residents were transported to the hospital to receive treatment. Due to the mental capacity of both residents, the lack of a third party witness, and not knowing who started the fight, no charges were brought forth, police said.

Police said investigators have been in contact with the Georgia Department of Community Health regarding the allegations at the assisted living facility. Authorities also said Sandy Springs Place has since replaced its entire staff and is now under new management.

The criminal investigations are still ongoing. Anyone with information on these cases are asked to contact Sandy Springs Police Detective JT Williams at JTWilliams@SandySpringsGA.Gov or by calling 770-551-6937