Vegas caregiver sentenced to at least a year in prison for neglect of a vulnerable resident

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KOLO) - A Las Vegas caregiver will serve at least one year in prison after being convicted of neglecting a vulnerable resident.

Cherry was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in prison, suspended. Cherry will also be placed on probation and pay $5,000 in costs and penalties.

"It is unconscionable to think that a caregiver who has been entrusted with the care of our vulnerable loved ones engages in abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment," said Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who announced Cherry's sentencing. "My office will not tolerate any such conduct, and we will continue to protect our elderly and vulnerable citizens by investigating and prosecuting those who put Nevadans at risk."

The investigation into Cherry began when the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received a report from the North Las Vegas Police Department of the possible neglect of a vulnerable person.

An investigation revealed that Cherry, a caretaker responsible for vulnerable residents at a Las Vegas group home, failed to provide care to a vulnerable adult by not seeking timely and needed medical attention after the adult had suffered severe burns after sitting on the hot pavement. It also found that Cherry knew of the severity of the burns, and that he was required to seek medical treatment, but failed to do so.