Caretaker Sprays Paralyzed Patient With Bleach At NJ Facility: AG

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A nurse's aide in Cherry Hill admitted she sprayed a paralyzed patient in the face and eyes with bleach, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General said.

Simone Goldsboro, 37, of Camden, accepted a plea deal on charges of third-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree assault upon an institutionalized elderly person.

In 2023, Goldsboro was a certified nurse's aide at Avista Healthcare Nursing Home while taking care of a patient (only identified as "D.S.") who was more than 60 years old.

She was also paralyzed on one side of her body due to a stroke.

Goldsboro acknowledged that she used excessive force while undressing the woman so she could clean her and then left the room to get a spray bottle from a custodian's cart.

She admitted to knowing that bleach was not for use on patients.

Goldsboro intentionally sprayed the bleach into the woman's face and eyes while knowing that it could cause temporary or permanent loss of eyesight, officials added.

"We have to trust the people who care for our loved ones at residential facilities," Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said. "We will not tolerate the abuse of elderly and vulnerable individuals, especially by those entrusted with their care."

Under the plea agreement, the state is recommending a sentence of 364 days in jail and a permanent forfeiture of her certification to practice as a nurse's aide.

The state will also seek a probationary term after the jail sentence.

Goldsboro is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30.

Anyone with information, or who may suspect other situations of elder abuse and neglect, can report details through the Elder Abuse & Neglect Reporting Form, by calling (609) 292-1272, or by reaching out to NJMFCU@njdcj.org.

Patch has attempted to reach the health system for a statement and more on the events following the assault.

The facility is now managed by Autumn Lake Healthcare, and operates as "Dwellside Care & Rehab."

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