Caught on camera: Home healthcare worker accused of abusing 91-year-old

DENVILLE — A home health worker has been charged with neglect for her alleged treatment of a 91-year-old Denville woman in her care.

According to Denville Police Captain Paul Nigro, the woman's family suspected she was being abused by her home heath care worker and installed a webcam video surveillance system.

"They recorded the home healthcare worker neglecting the victim by allowing her to try and walk by herself. She ended up falling an hitting her head on a wall," Nigro said. "The home health care worked let her sit there for a while before she got up and did anything."

Carla Caraballo, 58, of Plainfield was arrested Sunday at her home and charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled person.

Nigro said the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, was living in a senior living facility. The woman's family contracted to have a private nurse in the home 24 hours a day.

"One nurse stayed there all day, one nurse stayed their all night," Nigro said.

In another incident, Caraballo ordered the woman to stay in bed and not get up, and if she fell out of bed Caraballo would leave the patient there.

Nigro said an investigation is ongoing to determine how long the reported abuse may have been going on.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp in a statement said he could not comment on the open case.

Caraballo was released Monday from the Morris County Correctional Facility after posting $100,000 bail.