We've decided to post the murder/suicide letter that Diana Harden mailed me on Saturday, before walking into the Oakland Springs Health Care Center with a .357 Magnum, killing her daughter and killing herself. Publishing it follows her request for me to "please tell her (daughter's) story".
We are streaming the complete interview with the owner of the nursing home, Tony Perez. You can watch as I ask him to read the letter and comment on the accusations. Perez tells me he doesn't think Harden's complaints of abuse are true; he supports his staff, but says he will investigate. We'll be following up.
There is one other nursing home mentioned in the letter -- Hayward Convalescent Hospital. We called there for comment today. The receptionist first told me the administrator, Suzanne Valoppi, was not there, that the director of nurses would speak with me. Then, she said Valoppi had just arrived and would pick up the phone. After minutes on hold, the receptionist said Valoppi had just entered a fifteen minute meeting and would call me after. I left a message on her voicemail and have received no call back. So, we don't know her response to Diana Harden's complaints.
We'll be pursuing all of this in the morning. You can watch tonight's report here, the raw interview with Tony Parez here, my first report here, and read my first blog about receiving the letter here.
This is so sad. I worked in the same facility with Diana. She was a strong and intelligent woman. Please take her words seriously. Although there are some very caring people working at nursing homes, I, too, have seen how patients are treated by some staff who don't really care about them, are overly rough, and acutally tease the patient. It just isn't right!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 15, 2009 at 10:16 PM
My heart ache hearing Ms. Harden had to resort to this. Only wish she would contact you prior. I hear from former or friends of former employees of these type of facilities.These type of abuse goes on in convalescent homes, nursing homes all the time. Some time even the administrator them selves are aware but choose to look the other way. Dan, I know you will fight for Ms. Harden and her families and people who are in her similar situations. Maybe by your story there will be changes to come to these type of facilities. I look forward to seeing more on this issues.
Posted by: vuoch pham | September 16, 2009 at 02:11 AM
With a stack of complaints like the one shown in the report, why is this facility still operating??
Observing Mr. Noyes' interview, the owner seems too matter of fact, pat and dispassionate about the tragedy. Is there a culture of indifference among the staff indicating there's something to the alleged abuse???
I hope the authorities really knuckle down on those responsible
for any mistreatment. I like to think we Americans are much, much better than that.
Posted by: twitter.com/SurfCitySounds | September 16, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Diane was a wonderful person and the time and love she gave to this "difficult daughter took a tole on her. Thank you for bringing her letter to the forefront and continue to investigatte. It is so wrong for these people not to be trained to work wwith people like Yvette. Just imagine having your 30th birthday in a home full of old people, no social life maybe a bingo game or two, but no one around your age to talk with and have fun with. They are both very brave people who certainly were living a hell on Earth. God Please Bless them
Posted by: Donna Lowe | September 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Diana was a great woman and a wonderful mother-in-law to me. I know she would not have done this unless she felt there was no other way. She must've been incredibly desperate. She loved Yvette with all her heart and took care of her to the best of her ability. It's so unfair that a family has to subject their loved ones to abuse just because they are not physically able to care for them and not finacially able to put them in a "nicer" facility. This is an outrage and I hope this place is shut down and the nurses are no longer allowed to practice. Why would you become a nurse if you had no desire to nurture and care for people? For God's sake - get a different job!
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