Grant County Woman Convicted of Patient Abuse

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that a Grant County woman has been convicted of patient abuse. Tiffany Krantz, 22, 7697 Hurricane Road, Lancaster, appeared before Grant County Circuit Court Judge Craig Day to enter a guilty plea to one misdemeanor count of abuse and neglect of a patient or resident.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's criminal complaint, Krantz was a Certified Nursing Assistant employed by Lancaster Care Center, an inpatient nursing home facility located in Lancaster. On the morning of March 3, 2010, Krantz and Debra Bontreger, another CNA, were performing bed checks when a resident who suffers from Alzheimer's activated a tab alarm by attempting to get out of bed. Krantz responded to the resident's room and could be heard telling the resident to “lay your ass down.” Soon after, the alarm was again activated and Krantz and Bontreger both responded to the resident's room. Bontreger suggested they get this resident up and ready for the day and Krantz responded, “I ain't getting the bitch up, we're far enough behind.” When Krantz agreed to assist the resident into her wheelchair she was rough with the resident, grabbing her forcefully and swearing. As Krantz was leaving the resident's room, she “cuffed” her on the head and pulled her hair. Krantz's employment at the facility was terminated and the facility has cooperated in the investigation.

Krantz was sentenced to one year probation conditioned upon five days in jail and writing a letter of apology to the victim's husband.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Gabrysiak.