Nelson Kuma, Richard Hounnou, and Norma Munoz-Bent were indicted on charges of criminal negligence in connection with the death of a patient at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro on Apr. 8.
The case centers on the alleged failure by staff to provide timely medical assistance to G.W., a 58-year-old male patient who became unresponsive and stopped breathing while under their care. The indictment alleges that Kuma and Hounnou, both psychiatric counselors, along with Munoz-Bent, a registered nurse, did not properly assess G.W., perform CPR, or offer any potentially lifesaving measures for at least 21 minutes. By the time such measures began, it was too late to resuscitate him.
After their arraignment in court yesterday, all three defendants were released pending trial. They are scheduled to appear before Judge Carmen McLean on May 29.
Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia, joined Pirro in announcing the indictment. Both officials acknowledged those investigating and prosecuting the case from the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as well as from the D.C. Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
“The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia urges anyone with information regarding abuse of a vulnerable adult at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington to call our tipline at (202) 252-0809,” said Pirro.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only a formal charge and does not constitute evidence; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.