FARMINGTON, Utah, March 6, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A former certified nursing assistant accused of abusing elderly dementia patients in Clearfield has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
Jason Harold Knox, 30, has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated intentional abuse of a disabled or elderly adult, a second-degree felony.
A third identical charge was dismissed with prejudice, as was one count of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult recklessly, a third-degree felony.
The dates of the offenses were given as Sept. 1, and Oct. 1 and 5 of 2018.
On Oct. 7, 2018, Clearfield police were dispatched to Chancellor Gardens, an assisted living center at 1425 S. 1500 East, a probable cause statement says.
“Officer T. Collings arrived. He was shown video by the family members of a resident identified as R.C.,” the statement says. “R.C. is a vulnerable adult who suffers from dementia. R.C. is housed in the memory-care unit of the facility.
“In the video, Officer Collings observed the suspect, Jason Knox, who
was formerly licensed as a certified nursing assistant and was employed at Chancellor Gardens, standing above the resident. In the videos, Jason Knox is observed in separate incidents physically assaulting the victim, elbowing and shoving the victim against the wall in a manner which does not appear consistent with health care.”
The video showed Knox striking R.C. with his elbow in a very forceful manner, the statement says.
“Officer Collings placed Jason Knox under arrest. After giving a Miranda warning to Jason Knox, Knox admitted to the described incidents with R.C., but also admitted that he engaged in aggressive behavior towards another resident, J.C., on two separate occasions by elbowing J.C. in the chest on approximately October 5 and October 6, 2018.”
In a third incident, Knox elbowed one of the men “then suddenly and with great force, drove his elbow into the man’s lower abdomen,” the statement said, noting that the patient let out a groan.
Knox is scheduled for sentencing on April 15.
