Nurse goes on trial for neglect of patient found with maggots
By the Associated Press
March 13, 2007


MANASSAS, Va. -- A nurse supervisor is on trial in the case of a disabled man who was found in his apartment with his clothes drenched in urine and his feet infested with maggots.

Isatu A. Wurie is charged with abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult.

Rescuers were called to Charles Furry's Triangle apartment Aug. 21, 2003, and found him alone in a soiled recliner. He could not walk or talk.

The 55-year-old Furry--who suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the degenerative nerve disease known as Lou Gehrig's disease--was taken to a hospital and died two weeks later.

Wurie, 57, went on trial Monday. As an employee of a private home health care provider, she oversaw Furry's care. Joann Williams, a 36-year-old nursing aide, has already pleaded guilty to the charge.

In opening statements, Assistant Virginia Attorney General Steven W. Grist told the jury that Wurie had noticed Furry's condition was deteriorating a month before rescuers were called.

"It's important at this point what she does: nothing," Grist said.

Defense attorney Dickson J. Young agreed with prosecutors that Furry did not deserve to be in the condition in which he was found. But he said the social services system had failed Furry long before Wurie got involved.

Prince William County firefighter Lt. Everett Hinson testified that he and other rescuers found Furry wearing socks that were stained black, yellow and green.

"When we removed his socks, maggots fell out. Hundreds fell out initially," he said. "There were some between his toes and some under the skin."

Furry's legs were swollen, and his shirt was drenched in drool, Hinson said.

"He looked like he was 100 percent dependent on someone to care for him," he said.

Furry apparently had no family help. Court records show he had five children, but none was part of his life.

Wurie first visited Furry on June 20, 2003, for an initial assessment, according to records.

Based on her assessment, county social workers approved Furry for 30 hours a week of home health care, Young said.

"She had 30 hours a week with a (certified nursing assistant) to manage a guy who needed 24-7 coverage," he told the jury.

Kay Ackerman of Prince William's Department of Social Services said she could not comment directly on Furry's case.

"When we receive a call, the Adult Protective Services social workers investigate the call," she said. "We do not manage or license or supervise nursing facilities or home health care organizations."

Wurie was the one who called rescuers in August. A few days before, her boss had asked her to check on him after the nursing aide reported that his condition was worsening. Wurie later told investigators that she did not consider the request urgent.

She arrived at the apartment at 9 a.m. Aug. 21, to find it locked. She got a key from a neighbor and found Furry in the recliner.

Wurie waited until 3:36 p.m. before calling rescuers, and she called on a non-emergency line, Grist said.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com