Abused Elder Had Towel Shoved in Her Mouth, Photos Show

SHARON, MA — New photos show the extent of alleged abuse aimed at a 93-year-old woman who resided at retirement community in Sharon.

Last week, video of two employees at Wingate at Sharon abusing a woman emerged, but photos submitted to Sharon Patch show more than was was seen on video. Images show staffers attacking the woman known as Dorothy, at one point putting a towel in her mouth.

The two suspects in the video Domingas Teixeira, 61, and Leonide Jean Paul Bien-Aime, 49, both of Brockton, have been issued court summons for assault and battery on a person over 60 years old.

In the wake of the abuse, Dorothy's granddaughter has started a Facebook group called "Justice For Dorothy,"where she says her grandmother left the facility unresponsive.

"All concerns and issues we brought to staff's attention were always excused and swept under the rug. We would tell them we thought something was not right and without the proof they always had an answer for it. It never really concerned them so I am so glad we did what we did," she wrote

Police say they are working with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on this matter, and the management at Wingate has been cooperative during the course of our investigation. Wingate tells WFXT that the two workers have been fired.

The Facebook group is also being used to raise awareness for elder abuse and to support electronic monitoring in long-term care facilities.

Images: Submitted