Three caretakers fired at Veterans Center

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Three caretakers at the Norman state veterans center have been fired after being accused of abusing an 85-year-old resident with dementia.

The Oklahoman reports that the resident, Korean War veteran James William Laughlin, died on Oct. 15 less than two days after veterans center cameras captured images of three staff members dragging him across a room and tossing him onto a couch. The actions came after Laughlin entered another resident’s room and became involved in a physical altercation.

The Medical Examiner’s Office says Laughlin died from an acute right subdural bleed caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

John McReynolds, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, says officials believe Laughlin suffered the fatal wound by falling while alone in his room after the earlier incidents.