PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A grand jury report has revealed disturbing new details about an assault at a nursing home in the Lehigh Valley last year. Prosecutors said a registered nurse tried to perform an exorcism on an elderly resident.
It happened in June 2025 at the Gracedale Nursing Home, a county-run facility in Nazareth.
According to Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta, nurse Octavia Robinson allegedly stuck her fingers down the woman’s throat, stuffed towels and clothing into her mouth, and repeatedly hit her in the back. The victim’s two roommates tried for over 30 minutes to get help from staff and law enforcement.
“There was blood on the patient, there was blood on the bedding, and there were discarded clothing or towels with blood around the bed,” Baratta said.
Prosecutors said Robinson resisted arrest and was later hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation before facing charges.
The grand jury report found a host of problems at Gracedale, including expired food, unmedicated residents, and staff caught sleeping on duty.
County officials said the home is now under new management, with corrective action underway.
