Oklahoma CNA Arrested for Abuse After Allegedly Slapping Patient With Dementia 3 Times

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A nurse aide was arrested last week after she allegedly slapped an elderly woman who was in her care.

Hakeemia Ronshane Sherfield was arrested on the charge of Abuse by Caretaker after she was allegedly abusing a 94-year-old woman with dementia.

According to court documents, Sherfield was working at Villagio as a Certfied Nurse Aide (CNA) when she “knowingly, willingly, and feloniously” committed the crime of Abuse by Caretaker.

On Sept. 30, 2022, court documents show that Sherfield slapped her patient on the arm and then again on the left side of the woman’s face/upper body area.

According to the affidavit, Sherfield was captured on a Ring Camera system slapping the victim two times.

The audio on the camera picked up the patient chanting how she “wants to go home” while the video showed the patient appearing to tap Sherfield on the head. When the patient tapped Sherfield on the head, the CNA slapped her arm.

Surveillance video showed Sherfield changing positions to continue administering care to the patient when the patient then grabbed Sherfield by her ponytail.

“Sherfield then stuck the left side of the victims face or upper body area with her right hand,” the affidavit reads. “Only the backside of [the victim] in her wheelchair and Sherfield’s action/motion could be seen, but a “slapping” sound could be heard.”

Traditions Health of Edmond conducted an exit interview with Sherfield, where she admitted to hitting the victim both times, and then slapping her a third time when she was helping the victim shower.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said through the investigation, they determined the allegation of abuse by Sherfield to be true.

A finding of “Mistreatment” was entered into the Nurse Aide Registry, prohibiting Sherfield from employment as a nurse aide in any other long-term care facility that receives Medicaire or Medicaid reimbursement.