Woman Accused Of Roughing Up Wheelchair-Bound 97-Year-Old In Vernon Food Market

VERNON, CT - Vernon police said they have charged a Massachusetts woman with cruelty after several witnesses saw her shove around a 97-year-old wheelchair-bound woman at a local food market.

On Thursday at 4:56 p.m., police were called to the Aldi market on Route 83 for a reported assault, according to a news release.

Vernon police spokesman Lt. William Meier said responding officers met several witnesses - including store employees - who reported a female, identified as Kirsten Laundry, had assaulted an elderly female in a wheelchair.

The 42-year-old Laundry lives at 208 Orient Ave., East Boston, MA, according to a news release.

Officers determined the female victim was 97-years-old and "known to Laundry."

Laundry is accused of shoving the elderly woman's face in "a violent manner" while they were shopping in the store.

Laundry also allegedly threatened to withhold food from the woman, police said.

The elderly woman was not seriously injured, police said.

For the shoving incident, Laundry was charged with cruelty to persons and second-degree breach of peace, according to a news release.

Laundry was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, which included "cut straws believed to be used for snorting drugs," Meier said.

She is currently being held at the Vernon Police Department in lieu of a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to be presented in Rockville Court on Friday, Meier said.

Police also made a referral to Elderly Protective Services, he said.