Attorney General Stumbo Announces Two Former Irvine Nursing Home Assistants Plead Guilty in Laxative Prank

FRANKFORT, KY (March 9, 2006) – Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced today that two former nurse assistants have plead guilty to felony Criminal Abuse in connection with their treatment of patients at Irvine Health and Rehabilitation Center in Irvine. The defendants, Lisa Kilburn and Kim Congleton were each sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. Their sentences were probated for 5 years by the Estill Circuit Court.

On October 18, 2004, Kilburn and Congleton abused elderly and medically fragile patients by administering laxative suppositories that were not medically necessary and had not been ordered as part of the patients’ treatment. The acts, which took place during a bed check at the end of the second shift on that date, were apparently done to harass the nurse assistants on the next shift. Some of the patients suffered pain and rectal bleeding after the suppositories were administered. Administering unnecessary medications such as laxatives could lead to even more serious medical consequences for the frail elderly, including dehydration and its accompanying side effects. Kilburn’s and Congleton’s employment at the facility was terminated after their actions were discovered.

"This was shocking criminal conduct that put their victims health in danger and injured their dignity. The perpetrators of this unconscionable prank lacked any sense that their victims were human beings who deserve respect,” Stumbo said. “Rather than care for patients, these defendants callously used elderly citizens for amusement in an unforgivable way. We will not tolerate abuse of our most vulnerable, elderly citizens, and we will continue to work to the utmost to protect their well being.”

As a condition of their guilty pleas, Kilburn and Congleton have agreed never to seek, accept, or continue any employment that would involve direct patient care. They have also forfeited their certified nurse assistant licenses and have agreed never to seek a nurse or nurse assistant license in the future in this state or any other state.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Mary P. Cartwright, with the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Division and was investigated by Kentucky Bureau of Investigation Agent Kelly Hensley, who is assigned to the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division. Registered Nurse Kaye Wilson and other staff of the Irvine Health and Rehabilitation Center assisted in the investigation.

Suspected Medicaid fraud or patient abuse can be reported by calling the Attorney General’s tip line at 1-877-ABUSE TIP (1-877-228-7384).