Cherry Hospital workers accused of beating patient

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two workers at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro have been arrested on accusations they beat a patient, state Department of Health and Human Services chief spokesman Tom Lawrence said.

Health-care technicians Taniko Dominique Upton, 33, and William Kenneth Johnson, 52, were charged Friday with simple assault on a handicapped person, which is a misdemeanor.

Upton and Johnson were taken to the Wayne County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bonds.

Investigators said the assault occurred Monday, the same day federal investigators released a report citing the hospital for patient neglect.

Steven Sabock, 50, died April 29 after being ignored for more than 22 hours while staff members played cards and watched TV in the same room.

The ward where Sabock died was closed Friday but Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton said none of the 16 staff members who were supposed to care for Sabock have been fired. One nurse did resign, however.

Benton did say that the discipline was "insufficient" and asked the hospital's director to re-evaluate the disciplinary action.

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Latest Comments

Sometimes when you are burnt out from working in mental institution you need to take a sabbatical. These two men were probably treated badly by patients for many years and just went beserk. It is totally understandable. I will pray for these nice young men.

iamforjustice
August 25, 2008 7:55 p.m.

10 years in prison for both of them.

Dr. Dataclerk
August 25, 2008 2:05 p.m.

I didnt want that posted! I was trying to help. lmbo!!

Con Amor
August 25, 2008 1:08 p.m.

I dont want to post a comment. I just want to point out a small typo....

"Steven Sabock, 50, died April 29 after being ignored for more than 22 hours WHILD staff members played cards and watched TV in the same room."

*I think it should be WHILE*

Con Amor
August 25, 2008 12:52 p.m.

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO. TWO MEN BEATING UP A HANDICAPPED PERSON. HOW COULD HE DEFEND HIMSELF. THEY NEED TO BE BE LOCKED IN THE HOSPITAL WARD WHERE THIS HAPPEN. LEAVE THEM THERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEN PUT THEM IN JAIL.