SOUTH JERSEY

Lawsuit: Ancora workers abused disabled woman

Kim Mulford
@CP_KimMulford
Ancora Psychiatric Hospital

CAMDEN – The parents of a developmentally disabled woman have filed a civil suit against the state and Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, alleging their daughter was repeatedly and maliciously “battered,” restrained and humiliated by several employees during her stay at the institution.

Tara Murphy of Toms River suffered permanent physical and emotional damage as a result of the alleged abuses, the lawsuit contends. Her parents, John and Margaret Murphy, are suing for unspecified monetary damages, and allege the state failed to maintain safe patient conditions and protection from abuse while their daughter was in its care.

The lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court in Ocean County in October, but because the complaint alleges the woman’s civil rights were violated, the state’s deputy attorney general filed a petition Thursday to move the case to federal court.

Margaret Murphy declined to comment Thursday evening, saying her lawyer advised her not to speak publicly about the matter. The Murphys' lawyer, Christopher Koutsouris of Forked River, could not be reached for comment Friday. Representatives for the state Department of Human Services also did not immediately respond Friday.

Several state employees also were named as defendants in the suit: Phyllis Davis and Elizabeth Still, both human services assistants; Natasha Almon, a human services technician; and David Price, a nursing supervisor.

Davis was fired two years ago, after Ancora administrators accused her of pushing Murphy into a chair.

The incident was recorded by the hospital’s security cameras, but simple assault charges against Davis were dismissed last month after multiple delays in municipal court because the video evidence had been filed away and forgotten by court employees.

Ancora assault case back in court

According to the complaint, Tara Murphy fell multiple times after she was admitted to Ancora on Aug. 17, 2013. Two months later when visiting her daughter, Margaret Murphy witnessed Still allegedly abusing her, the suit contends. Within days of that incident, Tara Murphy was seriously injured in a fall, and later allegedly assaulted by Davis.

In August the following year, Murphy needed emergency care after falling out of bed. In March 2015, she fell out of a chair restraint, permanently damaging her teeth.

Murphy’s injuries have not healed, and she continues to suffer pain, disability and impairment, and the “loss of enjoyment of life,” according to the complaint.

The state’s negligence allowed Murphy to “be exposed to the dangers of being physically and mentally abused and forced to suffer pain, anguish, emotional distress and humiliation beyond the realm of human decency,” the complaint reads.

Additionally, the suit contends Ancora officials were aware of the employees’ frequent physical and mental abuse against patients. The suit accuses the hospital of violating its own policies and failing to properly train, supervise and discipline its employees.

The complaint also alleges the workers falsified official records, misrepresented facts, and withheld information.

Murphy will require “extraordinary services and care” in the future, according to the complaint.

The state psychiatric hospital briefly lost its federal certification this summer, after repeatedly failing inspections. The state reassigned the hospital's three top administrators, and named Christopher Morrison as the hospital's CEO in July. The state has turned down repeated requests by the Courier-Post to ask Morrison about reform efforts.

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Eighteen Ancora employees have been investigated over the past three years for allegedly assaulting patients, according to the state. Nearly all were disciplined or fired.

Criminal charges were pursued against four workers, including Davis. Simple assault charges were dismissed in two cases, and a third was downgraded to a disorderly person's offense. A fourth case involved an employee who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a mentally incapacitated woman.

State: More Ancora workers accused in patient assaults

Attacks on Ancora employees declining

There were 3,095 assaults documented at Ancora during 2013 and 2014. The number of assaults occurring during 2015 has not been released yet, though state law requires quarterly reports. According to state records, the majority of assaults are committed by patients against other patients or staff.

Kim Mulford: (856) 486-2448; kmulford@gannettnj.com