Former Stella Maris Staffer Convicted of Abuse

A Baltimore City woman has been convicted of abusing an elderly patient at , a senior living and care facility in Timonium, according to a news release from Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Shirleen Diane Sheppard, 58, of the 900 block of Argonne Drive, was sentenced to a three-year suspended prison sentence , according to the release.

Sheppard was placed on three years' probation and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service within 12 months, the release states.  Sheppard is also prohibited from working as a geriatric nursing assistant over the course of her probation.

“Maryland seniors move into assisted living and nursing facilities seeking a better quality of life and the constant medical care they may need,” Gansler said in the release. “Abuse in this setting is unacceptable to this office and to the vast majority of professional caregivers who report it when they see it.”

On Oct. 17, 2010, Sheppard became angry and struck the woman who was in her care. Sheppard then refused to apply ointment to the patient's rash, and placed the "assistance call button" out of the woman's reach, according to another nursing assistant who witnessed and reported the incident.

Sheppard did not contest the charges, which included one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult in the second degree during a hearing on Jan. 18.

"Another nursing assistant witnessed what happened, rendered proper care to the patient and then reported the incident to authorities at the facility," according to the release. "The patient did not suffer any permanent physical injury. conducted an immediate investigation and fired Sheppard after she admitted to assaulting the patient."

Sheppard's conviction comes on the heels of a discussion among Maryland lawmakers who are considering increasing penalties for crimes against the elderly, according to a report by WJZ-13.