Jackson, MS—A Laurel caregiver has pled guilty to abuse of a vulnerable adult in her care, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Linda House, age 54, of 632 Beacon Street in Laurel, plead guilty April 1 to one count misdemeanor abuse before Judge Howell Beech in the Jones County Justice court.

House was sentenced to six months in the county jail, with six months suspended. She was placed on one year of supervised probation and ordered to complete a court approved anger management program. She was also ordered to pay a fine and court costs to the court, as well as investigative costs to the Office of the Attorney General.

“If the defendant fails to meet conditions of probation, she will serve her term behind bars,” said Attorney General Hood.

House was charged with abuse for pouring cold water on a resident, diagnosed with mental retardation and down syndrome, at the Alexander Milne Home for Women in Laurel where House worked.  House became frustrated at the resident for not being able to stand while she attempted to shower her.  House then left the resident unattended on the bathroom floor when it was her responsibility to supervise her. 

“Caregivers really have to control their feelings of frustration when dealing with vulnerable patients,” said Attorney General Hood.  “There can be no tolerance for abuse, intentional or unintentional.” 

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the Attorney General’s Office.