Two former nursing home employees sentenced in elder abuse case

Two former employees of a nursing home in Guthrie have now been sentenced after pleading guilty in a case involving the abuse and exploitation of elderly residents in their care.

On Tuesday, Logan County District Judge Jason Reese sentenced 23-year-old Aubrey Granata and 22-year-old McKenzie Bolfa after both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and elder abuse charges.

The sentences mirror one handed down to former employee Jade Williams, who was also convicted in the same investigation.

According to court records, Granata and Bolfa each received a 10-year sentence with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on the conspiracy conviction. As a special condition, both were ordered to complete the Drug Offender Work Camp, or an equivalent program, and may request a one-year review of their sentence.

On the elder abuse conviction, each received an additional 10-year suspended sentence, contingent upon good behavior. Conditions of the suspended sentence include completing drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations with any recommended treatment, submitting to random drug testing, maintaining full-time employment or providing proof of an exemption, completing 300 hours of community service, paying court costs and fees, and serving two years under Department of Corrections supervision. The sentences are to run consecutively, with credit given for time already served.

The investigation began after a former Golden Age Nursing Home employee reported disturbing misconduct to the Guthrie Police Department.

Investigators alleged that Granata, Bolfa and Williams exchanged Snapchat videos and photographs showing elderly residents in degrading and inhumane conditions. Court documents stated one video showed an elderly resident lying in a bed wearing only a shirt and diaper while surrounded by fecal matter. Another showed a male resident nude from the waist down, while additional images allegedly depicted deceased residents being mocked.

At the time of the investigation, Guthrie Police Chief Don Sweger called the case “one of the saddest things” his department had investigated, noting the importance of protecting vulnerable residents who cannot always speak for themselves.

Following the arrests, Golden Age Nursing Home stated the employees had passed background checks, received training on resident rights and safety, and were immediately terminated after the allegations surfaced. The facility said it fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

With Tuesday’s sentencings, all three former employees charged in the case have now pleaded guilty and been sentenced.