KENT, Ohio — A nurse who worked at a nursing home in Kent has been indicted in connection with the death of a patient.
Dana Jones, 40, of Akron, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, gross patient abuse and patient neglect. On Monday, she pleaded not guilty in Portage County Common Pleas Court.
The indictment is the result of an investigation surrounding the September 2017 death of 71-year-old Danny Clegg, who was an avid golfer, gardener and fisherman.
Clegg was a patient at Kent Healthcare and Rehabilitation on Fairchild Avenue.
According to Kent Lt. Mike Lewis, Clegg notified a nurse's aid as he was experiencing medical problems, including blood pressure concerns, sweating and a fever.
Investigators said the aid informed Jones at a nurse's station, but she failed to help Clegg for 20 to 30 minutes. Prosecutors allege the delay led to the senior citizen's death.
"She should have gone to his aid when she was advised of the symptoms and the health problems that he was having. I wish she would have responded sooner," Lewis said.
Police said another patient at the facility, who was interviewed as part of the investigation, confirmed the delayed response time.
Jones, who is scheduled to go on trial in August, is out on bond. She said "no comment" when contacted by News 5 on Tuesday afternoon.
Her attorney, Bret Jordan, said he needed more time to review the case before making any statements.
Jones was fired from Kent Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
Clegg's family declined to comment on the case.
