New Information Surfaces on Possible Assault of Quadriplegic Woman at Polk Center

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published January 10, 2019 5:45 am
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POLK BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — New information has come to light in a criminal investigation into injuries suffered by a quadriplegic woman at Polk Center in Venango County.

According to Franklin-based State Police Trooper Haun, the victim, who is currently being treated at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, is recovering.

“Apparently, she is getting better day by day,” Trooper Haun told exploreVenango.com late Wednesday afternoon.

While the victim is recovering, the investigation — which was initiated by a report from a physician at Polk Center on Friday, January 4 — is ongoing.

According to police, the 70-year-old female patient suffered previously unreported injuries consisting of fractured bones and a lacerated liver. The doctor indicated the victim’s injuries were not documented by staff members at Polk Center.

According to Trooper Haun, although the incident is being investigated as an assault, the doctor noted the victim’s injuries are consistent with a fall.

“At this point, it is unclear whether this was a physical assault or an accident potentially being covered up by employees at Polk,” Trooper Haun said.

Police believe the injuries occurred sometime between 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 1, and 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2.

According to police, the victim — who is a quadriplegic and a full-lift patient with only minor mobility in her arms — cannot speak, so she was unable to be interviewed by internal investigators or Pennsylvania State Police.

State police say the investigation into exactly how the victim sustained her injuries is ongoing.

“Nobody at Polk is talking,” Trooper Haun said.

A call by exploreVenango.com to Polk Center administration for comment was not immediately returned.

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