An eight-page county report
shows the Wake Forest Care Center failed to take the necessary steps to protect 67-year-old Mickey Ankhelyi and blames the center's negligence for his death.
The report paints a troubling picture of the events leading up to Ankhelyi's death. The stroke victim wandered away from the Wake Forest Care Center back in May. His body was found in a wooded area 500 feet away from the home.
The report revealed that it wasn't the first time Ankhelyi wandered away unnoticed. According to the report, on March 2 Ankhelyi was diagnosed with dementia and was documented as a wanderer.
Three weeks later on March 23, Ankhelyi wandered up the street and was returned by police. Two days later, he left again. Four days after that, staff noted that Ankhelyi knew the alarm code number on the doors. Then on May 30, Ankhelyi wandered away for the last time. The following day he was found dead.
Ankhelyi's family said the report is proof that this was a tragedy waiting to happen. The county is now recommending the state imposes the harshest penalty, saying the center failed to provide adequate care that may have ultimately prevented his death.
The Wake Forest Care Center Director issued a statement, saying: "We've done everything to comply with the county. We are going above and beyond what state regulations require to make the facility as safe as possible for all of our residents and any new residents."
The Wake Forest Care Center will face between a $1,000 and $20,000 fine, if the state decides to impose a penalty.
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