Police: COVID-19-positive woman walks way from nursing home

HAMPDEN, Mass. (AP) - Police have filed an elder abuse complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health after a nursing home resident with dementia who had tested positive for COVID-19 apparently climbed out a window and wandered off facility grounds.

The woman was taken to the hospital after falling and being found about two-tenths of a mile from the Vero Health & Rehab in Hampden on Monday, according to a story published Friday by Masslive.com.

The woman had a bump on her forehead and complained that her knees hurt, Officer Todd Ely wrote in his report. She was unable to tell police her name or where she was from.

Carol Mortensen, executive director of Vero Health & Rehab of Hampden, said the resident broke a window guard and climbed outside. The woman was closely supervised and her exit was noted within several minutes of having last been seen, she said.

Police learned the woman was COVID-19 positive when nursing home staff informed officers at the scene.

A Department of Public Health spokesman said the agency investigates any reports of serious incidents at long-term care facilities.

Mortensen said the resident is still at the hospital and is in stable condition.