Police invesigate if abuse is tied to group home resident’s death

Police are investigating if the death of a 65-year-old resident of a West Carrollton group home is tied to possible abuse.

ResCare, Inc. has “separated two caregivers from employment” and the company is cooperating with police following the Monday death of Jerrold Duskey, who lived at the group home at 1291 Redbluff Drive, according to a company spokeswoman.

West Carrollton police said Wednesday they have suspects in the case, but declined to say if they were the caregivers who formerly worked for ResCare, Inc. The company said the action against the workers is consistent with its policy.

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“After conducting our own internal investigation, following our policy and protocol, we separated two caregivers from employment who were working during the time the incident occurred,” Kristen M. Trenaman, director of communications for ResCare, Inc., said in a statement.

“ResCare’s top priority is always, first and foremost, to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals we serve,” she added. “Our employee caregivers are trained to serve with care, compassion and respect. We do not tolerate behavior that fails to comply with our mission or high standards of care.”

Police said they are investigating whether Duskey’s death is tied to a Feb. 14 incident at ResCare.

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“We’re really investigating the incident that took place that was reported to us on Feb. 15,” said West Carrollton Deputy Chief David Wessling. “And in that investigation, obviously, we’re going to be looking at his death as well.”

Wessling declined to discuss specifics of the incident. This news organization has filed a public records request for the incident report.

Duskey died around 11:15 p.m. Monday at Kettering Medical Center, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.

The cause and manner of his death were listed as pending, the coroner’s office said. But the injuries that led to Duskey’s death were sustained at his residence on Redbluff, the coroner’s office said.

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A residential manager at the complex where Duskey lived reported to police possible physical abuse involving one of its residents on Feb. 14.

“We have reason to believe a resident has been abused,” the caller told 911 operators, adding that it’s not known how the resident sustained the reported injuries.

ResCare Residential Services provides support to adults and children who need assistance with daily living due to a developmental, cognitive or intellectual disability. Programs offered include a range of services, including: community living, behavioral health support, in-home pharmacy solutions, TeleCare and supported employment, according to the company.

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What course the police investigation takes will be largely influenced by talks with prosecutors, Wessling said.

“It’s really going to come down with our meetings with the prosecutors and we’re really going to take our direction from them,” he said.

Meanwhile, ResCare will continue working with police, according to the statement by Trenaman.

“We continue to work closely and in cooperation with law enforcement and with external investigators,” she said. “We are heartbroken to learn that one of the individuals we supported passed away while hospitalized.”

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