2 women plead not guilty in death at Ohio nursing home
OTTAWA, Ohio (AP) — Two employees of a western Ohio nursing home where a woman died after wandering outdoors on a frigid winter night have pleaded not guilty to charges.
The Lima News reports 36-year-old Rachel Friesel and 20-year-old Destini Fenbert, both of Pandora, were allowed to remain free on personal bonds during a Putnam County court appearance Wednesday.
They face involuntary manslaughter, forgery and gross patient neglect charges in the death of 76-year-old Phyllis Campbell.
A state investigation found Campbell left Hilty Memorial Nursing Home in Pandora about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 7 through a courtyard door equipped with an alarm. The women told investigators they falsely documented two overnight bed checks.
The low temperature in Pandora on Jan. 7 was zero degrees.
Messages were left today with Friesel and Fenbert’s attorneys.