A local hospice caregiver was arrested on felony warrants Thursday morning stemming from allegations she abused two patients last year, injuring one and introducing illegal drugs to the other.
Regina Lee Wimberly, 48, who lists a Carl Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 6:30 a.m. and charged with introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another person, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and second-degree battery, punishable by up to six years.
Wimberly was being held on bonds totaling $5,000 and is set to appear June 4 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on July 27, 2017, the daughter of a local woman, 83, filed a complaint with Garland County sheriff's investigators regarding the alleged abuse of her mother while under the care of a known suspect, identified as Wimberly, who conducts hospice care at a residence on Southern Charm Loop.
On July 28, investigators Brandon Huckaba and Randy Rowe spoke to another caregiver, 50, at the Southern Charm residence who stated she worked for Wimberly and that the 83-year-old had told her Wimberly struck her on the arm.
She stated the victim had a cut and a knot on her arm and had told her on multiple occasions she was scared of Wimberly. She said she knew of another woman, 67, in their care that had tested positive for having THC or marijuana in her system. She said the woman's family had taken her to the hospital to be drug tested.
Wimberly's employee also said Wimberly had offered her "marijuana brownies" in the past, but she had declined.
The investigators spoke to the 83-year-old woman, who stated she had argued with a woman that worked at the residence who became upset with her and struck her. She said she put her arms up to protect her face during the attack. She noted it was "the woman she did not like and was afraid of." They noted she had a cut and swelling to her left forearm.
The employee noted there was only one other woman besides her and Wimberly that worked at the residence. The 83-year-old reportedly told the investigators it was not either of the other two employees that hurt her.
The investigators spoke to the 83-year-old's daughter and son-in-law later that same day and the daughter said her mother told her it was Wimberly who had hit her, but she was afraid to say her name to the investigators.
She also said Wimberly had asked her on the phone if it was OK to give her mother "marijuana brownies" and the son-in-law confirmed hearing the conversation. They said they became aware of the other patient testing positive for THC while under Wimberly's care.
Huckaba obtained documentation confirming the 67-year-old tested positive for cannabinoids on July 22, 2017, at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs. He later obtained a warrant for Wimberly's arrest on the two felony charges.
Local on 05/25/2018