A 27-year-old former nursing home worker became the first person convicted under a new Illinois law specifically prohibiting abuse of people in long-term care facilities, officials said Thursday.
Catherine Williams, of 8015 S. Muskegon Ave., was found guilty Tuesday by a Cook County Criminal Court jury, according to a spokesman for the Cook County state`s attorney.
She was convicted of forcing an incontinent 81-year-old patient to eat his own waste at a La Grange Park nursing home. The nursing home reported the incident to authorities after suspending Williams and was not charged with criminal wrongdoing.
Williams faces 2 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 at a sentencing scheduled for Oct. 2 by Criminal Court Judge Michael Getty.
