Beshear: Two Hazard Caregivers Indicted on Abuse Charges

HAZARD, Ky. (May 25, 2018) – Attorney General Andy Beshear and his Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse today announced the indictment of two Hazard caregivers on abuse charges.

John Hundley, 42, and Penny Caudill, 43, both of Hazard, were indicted by a Perry County grand jury Friday, May 18, and have each been charged with one count of knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult, a Class C felony. 

It is alleged that on or about, Sept. 30, 2016, Hundley and Caudill worked as caregivers at a Hazard facility providing residential and day training services for individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

It is alleged that while acting as a caregiver, Hundley dragged an adult day training participant across the floor and out onto the front porch of the facility. As a result, the participant suffered injury. Caudill, also acting as a caregiver at the time of the incident, observed the injury to the participant, but failed to arrange for professional medical treatment.

Arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 16, in Perry County Circuit Court. If convicted, they each face a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.

Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community Based Services, Adult Protective Services, investigated this case. Beshear’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse is prosecuting the case.

“I am thankful for the hard work of my Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse and the cabinet’s Adult Protective Services office for working together to seek justice for this victim,” Beshear said. “When allegations of this type of abuse and neglect occur the Office of the Attorney General will take action to protect our most vulnerable.”

A charge is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Attorney General’s tip line for reporting allegations of Medicaid provider fraud is 502-696-5405.

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