Nurses Charged After Patient's Scalding Death

Two nurses at Hopemont Hospital in West Virginia, Kylah Beard and Delilah Clayburn-Hill, have been charged with felony neglect after a 61-year-old nonverbal patient, Larry Hedrick, died from severe burns sustained in a scalding bath. On January 4, 2024, Beard reportedly helped Hedrick into a tub filled with 134-degree water and left him submerged for 47 minutes, leading to second- and third-degree burns on his legs and feet. Despite being informed about Hedrick's injuries, Clayburn-Hill allegedly failed to provide necessary treatment, including pain medication. Hedrick succumbed to his injuries on January 12, 2024, after being transferred to a burn trauma unit. The investigation, conducted by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, continues to explore the involvement of other staff members at the facility. Both nurses are scheduled for an initial court appearance on January 29, 2024.