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18 of 21 have been arrested in alleged Alzheimer’s patient abuse in Commerce

By Nancy Badertscher
July 5, 2013

Authorities have rounded up 18 of the 21 people accused of mistreating patients at an Alzheimer’s center in Commerce, the GBI said Friday.

The suspects — including the owner of Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce — are accused of slapping residents,throwing water on them and double-diapering so they wouldn’t have to be changed so often.

The suspects — current and former employees — face a combined 72 charges. Twenty-six residents were sent to other facilities on Tuesday following a two-month investigation spearheaded by the GBI.

Families of the residents said they were shocked by the allegations. An attorney for owner Donna Wright said residents were treated like family.

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