Bronx nursing home death ruled a homicide, nursing aide charged

BRONX (WABC) -- The 77-year-old nursing home resident in the Bronx suffered a life-ending injury during a reported scuffle with a clinical nursing aide identified as 41 year old Cherrylee Young.

The incident happened around 11:35 a.m. on December 8 at the University Nursing Home in the Bronx. According to investigators, Frank Mercado's bed alarm was going off. The nurse, Cherrylee Young, responded and told the victim to stay seated several times.

She said Mercado stood up and he struck her in the head, and then several eyewitnesses told authorities that Young began punching him.

According to the criminal complaint, "...the defendant did strike Frank Mercado numerous times with a closed fist..." causing him "...to fall to the ground where his body was impaled by a piece of metal protruding from a broken table."

The 77-year old was rushed to the hospital, but later died.

The nursing home wouldn't comment on the incident, but did indicate the aide has been terminated.

"We have no employees working here that are under charges by the police," Thomas McCartin of Centers Healthcare said. "We deeply regret, acknowledge the death of Frank Mercado. We have and do extend our deepest sympathies to his family."

Young faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, felony assault and endangering adult welfare, causing serious injury.