Hillcrest: Abuse allegations trigger immediate suspension

Monday, September 24, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Hillcrest Administrator Colinda Nappa told the Gazette this morning that the Red Willow County owned nursing home has policies and procedures in place that state, upon any alleged abuse, the accused employee is immediately suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.

Nappa was addressing image concerns brought to her by Hillcrest employees following last week's Gazette article pertaining to a former Hillcrest employee, who pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault charge stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred while he was a CNA working at the Red Willow County owned nursing home.

The accused man, 44-year-old Christopher Lynn Mehringer of McCook, was charged in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in May and the article indicated his employment did not end until late July.

A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2012, in the case. A pretrial hearing is also scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday in Red Willow County Court.