Two employees of a Connecticut nursing home have been arrested after a 93-year-old resident died from hypothermia just steps from the facility, according to the Windsor Locks Police Department.
Papy Bibo, 53, a registered nurse, faces charges of criminally negligent homicide and evidence tampering. Uchenna Obi, 46, a certified nursing assistant, faces charges of reckless endangerment and evidence tampering. Both surrendered to police this week in connection with the February death of Margaret “Peggy” Healey, a former Catholic school teacher and nun who lived at Bickford Health Care Center in Windsor Locks.
Investigators say Healey slipped out through an unsecured door around 1:55 a.m. as outside temperatures hovered near zero degrees. Surveillance footage reportedly showed her collapsing in a snowbank just minutes later. She was not found until after 5 a.m., when staff spotted her lying facedown outside.
According to arrest warrants, staff noticed faint signs of life and carried her back inside, but did not call emergency services until more than an hour later. Investigators allege one staffer was overheard saying he wouldn’t call 911 out of fear everyone would “go to prison,” though the nurse has denied making that statement.
Officials say Obi was assigned to check on residents in her wing every two hours that night. She reportedly told investigators she saw Healey’s walker and blanket in the room but never confirmed the woman was actually in bed.
The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Healey died from a combination of environmental exposure and underlying cardiovascular disease.
Bibo was released on a $25,000 surety bond, while Obi was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. Both are scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on August 7.
Police leadership said the arrests mark a step toward accountability for a preventable tragedy.