Elderly woman found dead outside nursing home
December 30th, 2008 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
No one knows how 95-year-old Fannie Mae Rooks ended up outside on the night before Christmas Eve. But somehow her wheelchair had been pushed through the handicapped-accessible doors to the outdoor smoking area at Northgate Park Nursing Home in Florissant, Mo, according to Trading Markets/St. Louis Post-Dispach. Rooks was found dead in the courtyard around 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
The outside temperature was between 36 and 40 degrees and a light rain was falling. Officials say the cold and rain likely contributed to her death, though autopsy results are pending.
Florissant Police Chief William Karabas said it is too early to say whether criminal neglect was involved. Officials say she went outside sometime after the 9 p.m. rounds. It is still unclear how Rooks managed to get outside – whether on her own or by another person pushing her wheelchair – or how she could have remained outdoors for hours without anyone noticing. Once the investigation is completed, the police report will be forwarded to the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney’s office for review. The Missouri Department of Health also is conducting interviews.
A spokesperson with Northgate Park Nursing Home, which is owned by CommuniCare Health Services, says no employee faces disciplinary action at this time.
Rooks family members are understandably distraught. “I’m just not going to let it go,” said Rooks’ stepson Eugene. “It hurts me so bad just for her to be outside for four or five hours in the rain by herself.” Eugene believes staff may have tried to cover up the scene by bringing her body inside and trying to “clean her up and dry her off” before calling police, according to the report. The nursing home says staff followed proper protocol after finding the woman.
“There’s a great deal of sadness and we want to get all of the answers for the family,” the nursing home spokesperson told the newspaper. “We know they’re upset and we understand that.”