ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, November 28, 1996            TAG: 9611290112
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C5   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
DATELINE: DINWIDDIE 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

6 FROM CENTRAL STATE ACCUSED OF ABUSE MENTAL PATIENT WAS BRUISED, HOSPITAL SAYS

Six employees of the Central State Hospital, charged in the abuse of a mental patient that resulted in bruising, were relieved of their duties Wednesday, officials said.

Arrest warrants were issued for the six - two registered nurses and four aides - by Virginia State Police on Monday. James C. Bumpas, director of the state-run mental hospital, said the arrests were not announced until Wednesday after unspecified ``personnel action'' had been taken.

He declined to say whether the workers had been suspended or fired.

``We regret that this incident has occurred. We have zero tolerance for any form of patient abuse or neglect,'' Bumpas said.

Bumpas said the alleged abuse took place Aug. 20 and was reported to hospital administrators by another employee.

Charged were Michelle L. Pegram, 22, of McKennney; Howard W. Knox, 48, of Warfield; and Charlotte M. Kirkland, 39, John R. Winfield, 31, Emmett Terry Jr., 41, and Steven R. Watkins, 34, all of Petersburg.

All six were responsible for caring for the abused patient, hospital officials said.

The employees were charged with one count of abuse and/or neglect of an incapacitated patient, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each faces up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted.

The employees, who were not required to post bond, are to appear in Dinwiddie County General District Court on Dec. 5 for a hearing to appoint counsel. Trial is set for Jan. 16.

Kirkland and Pegram, both registered nurses, could lose their licenses if convicted, said state police spokeswoman Mary Evans.

Police are still trying to determine who actually administered the blows that bruised the patient's body.

``Somebody beat the person, and these people were in charge of him,'' said Evans. ``Whatever happened should have been witnessed by someone watching over him, but no one has come forward. If they did not abuse him, then they at least neglected to stop it or report it.''

Evans said the patient, identified only as an adult male, was under 24-hour supervision. He had been admitted to the CSH forensic unit after being charged with murder, she said.

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