An employee of a Chatham County assisted living facility has been arrested and charged after allegations of abuse and neglect of a resident.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said in a release a concerned staff member at Chatham Ridge Assisted Living reported the allegations, leading to an investigation being opened on July 15.

A 92-year-old victim has reportedly suffered “significant injuries that resulted in bruising and swelling,” according to the release.

Sheriff’s Office investigators worked with the victim and staff members at the facility in northeastern Chatham County to identify a possible cause of the injuries. That investigation led to another employee, 63-year-old Iantha Merritt Southerland, being arrested.

Southerland, of South Merritt Mill Road in Chapel Hill, has been charged with felony patient abuse and neglect along with a felony charge of assault on the handicapped.

A Carrboro woman was arrested in June on allegations she made purchases using the bank account of an elderly resident of Chatham Ridge Assisted Living.

Southerland was released on a written promise to appear in court, according to law enforcement, and is scheduled to be in Chatham County District Court on August 22.

Photo via Chatham County Sheriff’s Office

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