Facility owner faces elder abuse charges
WEST PALM BEACH — A man arrested last week for allegedly mistreating patients at a suburban West Palm Beach assisted-living facility is facing a charge of abusing an elderly female patient, according to an arrest report made public Monday.
Authorities say Bhoodram Parsaram, the owner of BP Assisted Living Facility, abused a 90-year-old woman during overnight hours, restraining her to her bed and leaving bruises on her arm.
In addition, authorities alleged, Parsaram left the woman and four other patients alone Friday morning, even though the facility is supposed to be staffed 24 hours a day.
He was arrested Friday on one count each of elderly abuse and neglect of an elderly person. Parsaram, 52, of Wellington was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Saturday after posting $2,000 bail.
Attempts to reach Parsaram on Monday were not immediately successful.
A mental- and health-care analyst for the Healthcare Administration Agency contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office to report that the agency had received an anonymous complaint regarding a patient at the assisted-living facility being restrained to the bed with sheets.
Deputies arrived at the facility, on Wynnewood Drive north of Belvedere Road and east of Jog Road, shortly before 6 a.m. Friday, but received no response as they knocked on the front door of the home, according to the arrest report.
Moments later, a man driving a BMW SUV parked near the facility and walked through the backyard of a neighboring residence.
Parsaram finally opened the door as deputies continued knocking.
During the investigation, Parsaram reportedly told investigators he briefly left the facility to go to a friend’s house and pick up some clothes. He admitted to leaving the residence unattended, the report said.
He also admitted to restraining a patient to her bed, but said it was for the patient’s safety. He requested an attorney and did not answer any other questions.