Nursing Home Closes After Resident’s Death

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — Bickford Health Care Center in Windsor Locks has closed, with all residents relocated as of Friday, April 10, according to state Rep. Jane Garibay.

Officials announced the closure on social media Friday. The shutdown followed weeks of scrutiny over the nursing home after the death of a 93-year-old resident and separate financial problems tied to the property.

State health officials had previously ordered the facility to close by April 10. Before the shutdown, officials said 36 residents were living there and would be moved to other nursing homes.

The Windsor Locks facility came under growing scrutiny after a resident left the building during the early morning hours of Feb. 8 and was later found outside in freezing conditions.

Police later said surveillance video showed the resident leaving through a rear employee entrance at about 1:50 a.m. Investigators said the door was not equipped with a wander-guard system, even though the woman was known to wander.

According to Windsor Locks police, the door was supposed to stay closed and locked and required a keypad code for access. Investigators also learned the door was often propped open and that the access code was posted near the keypad.

Police said the woman was found more than three hours later. Investigators have said 911 was not called until 6:23 a.m., and she was pronounced dead at 6:46 a.m.

Lt. Paul Cherniack of the Windsor Locks Police Department said detectives were able to establish both a timeline and direction of travel through surveillance footage. Police also took custody of the monitoring device the woman had been wearing and have been reviewing whether it functioned properly.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has listed the cause of death as “Pending Further Studies” and the manner of death as “Pending Investigation.” The Connecticut Department of Public Health has also been involved in reviewing what happened at the facility.

Separate from the death investigation, town records showed the owner of the property owed more than $100,000 in overdue municipal taxes. The property had been listed for a public tax sale later this month unless the back taxes were paid.

Bickford previously said it was cooperating with state and local authorities. The company said it was assisting with the investigation and complying with added safeguards.

Police and state officials have said the investigation remains ongoing.