Family Says Home Aide Worker Abused 90-Year-Old Great Grandmother In Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In Queens, a bedridden, elderly women was allegedly attacked by the person who was supposed to be caring for her.

Now, the aide is under arrest and the victim is recuperating from her injuries.

Bernice Turner, a 90-year-old Queens resident, is a retired nurse who spent a lifetime caring for others. Turner was abused by a home health care aide, according to her family.

"She hurt my mother and I'm surprised to know she would do this," said Turner's daughter, Valorie Williams.

On Monday, the family called police after noticing injuries to the woman's face.

"The eyes are black and blue under the eyes, the mouth [was] black and blue and the lips swollen," Williams said.

They asked the overnight home care aide, 48-year-old Ramdai Narine, what happened and were told it was an "allergic reaction" or that Turner "banged her head on the railing of the bed."

But the family says Turner can't move herself to the bed rail. They speculate the great grandmother was loud overnight, while the aide was trying to get some sleep.

"And then when I think about what happened to my sister...it hurts," said Turner's 77-year-old sister Ruby Moe.

The family said Narine, now charged with assault, was hired a couple of months ago through an agency they declined to name, but through which they've never had a problem before.

The State Health Department has a list of Certified Home Health Agencies, and has a Home Care Registry to check on properly trained aides. Narine is on the list and approved for employment.

"For someone to take advantage, that lady betrayed our trust," said Moe.

Turner turns 91 years old on Friday.

The State Health Department says before hiring a home care aide, the candidates, background, experience and references should be checked.