Gracedale Nursing Home faces patient safety, communication, security issues, grand jury report says | Northampton County

EASTON, Pa. – Northampton County officials are addressing a grand jury report on safety concerns at Gracedale nursing home.

Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta held a news conference on the report Thursday.

The grand jury investigation was launched after a June 2025 incident where staff member Octavia Robinson allegedly tried to exorcise a demon out of a hospice resident with intellectual disabilities.

The report says it wasn’t until the victim’s roommates called police four times that officers showed up and arrested Robinson.

“They discovered this nurse stuffing rags, and with her hands in the mouth of this elderly patient, there was blood on the patient. There was blood on the bedding,” said Baratta.

In a statement, Upper Nazareth Police say the reason they didn’t come the first three times is because they were told by Gracedale staff they were not needed.

The grand jury investigation also looked into Gracedale’s Health and Human Services inspections, revealing in 2025 there were 14 deficiency reports, including “physical assaults of patients, patient elopements, the failure to provide prescribed medical care.”

The report also cites severe staffing shortages, that at one time “Gracedale was staffed with 58% agency registered nurse, 43% employed LPNs and 56% total agency direct care nursing staffing.”

“Today’s release of the grand jury report is certainly difficult, but it must be met with seriousness, transparency, and resolve,” said Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski.

Zrinski says the report isn’t completely accurate, but even so, her administration has already begun reducing the reliance on outside staffing agencies, evaluating security measures, strengthening oversight and accountability at Gracedale.

“Gracedale residents and their loved ones should never have to wonder whether the county government is listening, responding, and holding itself accountable, because we are,” said Zrinski.

In addition to the grand jury report, the DA released several letters to Judge Craig Dally.

One from Zrinski that says that the report should be sealed because grand juries are supposed to investigate crimes and that Gracedale was out of its scope.

A second letter from former County Executive Lamont McClure called the report a politically motivated hit job at a time when McClure was running for Congress.

Zrinski released a statement about the grand jury report:

“The report, which investigated safety issues at Gracedale in 2025, raises serious issues about the care, safety, staffing, security, and management systems at Gracedale. Our residents and their families deserve honesty from their government, accountability from those entrusted with care, and clear evidence that the County is taking action,” said Zrinski. “Gracedale has been a lifeline for generations of Northampton County families. It serves residents with significant medical needs, people of modest means, and people who too often have nowhere else to turn. That mission is essential, and protecting it requires us to confront these challenges directly and strengthen the future for Gracedale.”

Zrinski emphasized that the work of improving Gracedale is already underway and that the facility remains a central focus of the administration’s work to strengthen Northampton County’s continuum of health and human services.

“The problems identified in this report developed over time and will not be solved overnight. Michelle Morton stepped into an extraordinarily challenging environment when she became Nursing Home Administrator in March 2025 and has taken responsibility for helping move Gracedale forward. She has my confidence as this work continues. At every level, however, our expectation is clear: leadership will be accountable for measurable improvement in resident safety, quality of care, workforce stability, and operations.”

The administration’s ongoing and planned actions include:

Strengthening Executive Oversight and Accountability, including the hiring of Thomas Carson as Director of the Continuum of Care to provide focused oversight, accountability, and coordination.Improving Communication and Transparency to help ensure that Gracedale’s challenges are addressed candidly while also sharing the real, daily work of staff who care for residents and the positive role Gracedale plays in the community.Reduce Reliance on Outside Staffing Agencies by strengthening recruitment, retention, training, County employment opportunities, and workforce partnerships.Strengthening Quality Assurance, including more structured corrective-action monitoring, staff competency training, updated admissions screening, and revised protocols related to elopement risk and behavioral health needs.Evaluating Security Operations and Emergency Response Procedures, including coordination with law enforcement to ensure resident safety, staff safety, clear response procedures, and appropriate follow-up.Advancing a Sustainable Financial Strategy for Gracedale, recognizing the significant pressures caused by Medicaid reimbursement delays, inadequate reimbursement levels, and broader workforce shortages in long-term care.Planning for Gracedale’s Long-Term Future, including evaluation of a modernized Gracedale facility and a broader continuum-of-care campus that could incorporate supportive living, workforce housing, intergenerational services, and other resources that strengthen care and long-term sustainability.

Zrinski stressed that the county will proceed responsibly. “No shovel will go into the ground until we have stabilized operations and identified a financially responsible path forward. Every future investment in Gracedale must protect residents, support employees, respect taxpayers, and strengthen this institution for generations to come.”

“The grand jury report cannot simply be something we respond to and move past,” Zrinski said. “It must be a catalyst for lasting improvement. Our responsibility now is to learn from what occurred, address the weaknesses that have been identified, measure our progress, and build a stronger Gracedale.”

The administration will continue reviewing the grand jury report and its recommendations alongside corrective actions already underway. Additional information regarding implementation, progress, and next steps will be provided to residents, families, employees, County Council, and the public as that work continues.

Additional administration responses to and concerns about the report are included in the County Executive’s response to the report, attached to the filed report.

Here is the full statement of the Upper Nazareth Police Chief William Cope:

“After reviewing the District Attorney’s findings, I would like to clarify the circumstances surrounding the four calls for service and the Upper Nazareth Township Police Department’s responses:

1. 02:56 hours: Officers were dispatched and Officer Dugan was advised by the Communications Center that the Nursing Supervisor was having someone check on the caller. The department’s response is limited to matters involving criminal activity.

2. 03:05 hours: Officers were dispatched for a second time. The responding officer contacted the Nursing Supervisor, who advised that she had checked on the caller and that everything was under control.

3. 03:20 hours: Officers were dispatched for a third time. The responding officer was again advised that the Nursing Supervisor would handle the situation.

4. 03:22 hours: Officers were dispatched for a fourth time. On this occasion, officers responded and ultimately made an arrest.

As reflected in my letter to the County dated June 4, 2026, the Upper Nazareth Township Police Department has experienced a significant increase in 911 calls originating from Gracedale. These calls frequently involve patients requesting police assistance for matters related to dissatisfaction with care, refusal to comply with facility procedures, or patient behavioral issues that are more appropriately addressed by Gracedale staff.

This increasing volume of calls has placed a significant strain on Upper Nazareth Township Police resources. Our officers are routinely being called upon to perform functions that are more appropriately handled by facility staff, including responding to patient disorder and effectively serving in a security or orderly capacity.

In an effort to address this ongoing issue, I drafted and submitted a letter to Gracedale requesting that the facility take appropriate steps to manage these situations internally and utilize its available staffing resources rather than relying on the local police department to address routine patient behavioral issues. This is particularly concerning given that Sheriff’s Department personnel were also present at the facility during daytime hours.

To date, I have not received a response regarding the concerns outlined in my June 4, 2026, correspondence. I would respectfully request that Gracedale address these concerns and work with the Upper Nazareth Township Police Department to establish clear protocols regarding when police assistance is appropriate and when matters should be handled by Gracedale personnel.

Until such protocols are established and Gracedale is able to adequately address its staffing and patient-management needs, Upper Nazareth Township Police will continue to respond to calls for service in accordance with the position and expectations outlined in my June 4, 2026, letter to the County. I remain hopeful that we can establish a clear and effective protocol between Gracedale and the Upper Nazareth Township Police Department that appropriately addresses the needs of the facility while ensuring the responsible use of police resources.”