Norman Nursing Home Falls Short of Standards

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Okla. -- A state health department report discovered serious problems at The Whispering Pines nursing home in Norman, who could face a $3,000-a-day fine if corrections aren't made.

The investigation began after nursing home resident Carol Crow's family alleged she had been assaulted.

Whispering Pines said it brought in the police immediately after she was injured, but despite a lengthy state probe, the issues of whether she had been assaulted and by whom are still unresolved.

"The investigator followed all the information that he had, and he was never able to identify any person who could be demonstrated as having been responsible for those injuries," Capt. Leonard Judy said.

The lengthy state Health Department report lists 28 deficiencies, including both state and federal, at Whispering Pines, several fights among residents, plus a claim that an HIV positive resident had unprotected sex with a female resident.

The attorney for Whispering Pines said the home disputes most of the deficiencies and has already addressed those that have merit.

The attorney adds Whispering Pines has a new administrator and is in the process of hiring new people, all in an effort to make sure the residents here are safe.

Carol Crow's husband is reportedly considering filing a lawsuit against Whispering Pines.