A Newnan caregiver is facing felony charges after videos shared with an Atlanta TV station allegedly showed her roughing up residents inside a small personal care home in Coweta County. Authorities say Ann Cowan was arrested on two counts of exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elderly persons and residents, with a judge setting her bond at $10,000. She is being held at the Coweta County Jail while investigators comb through the footage.
Videos Show Alleged 'Hateful' Treatment
Channel 2 reporter Cory James was contacted by a woman who said she used to work with Cowan and had been sent several disturbing clips. That former co-worker, Brittney McPhail, told the station she had known Cowan for years and was stunned by what she saw on the recordings.
In one clip, a voice reported to be Cowan's can be heard saying to an elderly resident, "Did you slide off your chair like you’re about to do now?" McPhail said she also watched footage of Cowan grabbing an elderly man's wrist, bending it back and threatening to break it. Those details, as well as the account of how the videos reached law enforcement, are laid out in reporting by WSB-TV.
About the Home
Corinth Road Personal Care Home is a small, licensed personal care home in Newnan. The facility lists its address as 1141 Corinth Road, and online information notes a licensed capacity in the mid-teens for residents. Public licensing records and senior care directories show the home as a personal care provider with published contact details, including through the facility's own site and a third-party listing service: Corinth Road Personal Care Home and AgeSong.
Investigation, Arrest and Agency Response
Sheriff's investigators reviewed several clips that were turned over to them, including one that allegedly shows medication left on a door where a wheelchair-bound resident could not easily reach it. After going through the videos, investigators sought arrest warrants that charged Cowan with two counts of exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elderly persons and residents.
According to the station, the home told the reporter it could not comment on the case and confirmed that Cowan no longer works there. That information was shared with deputies as they moved forward with the charges. The daughter of a man seen in the footage told the outlet she was disgusted by how her father was treated and grateful that law enforcement stepped in, per WSB-TV.
What the Law Says
The charges mirror Georgia's statute that is designed to protect older and disabled adults. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-5-102, exploitation and intimidation of disabled adults, elder persons and residents is classified as a felony. A conviction under that law can mean a prison sentence ranging from one year to 20 years, along with potential fines of up to $50,000, according to the Georgia Code.
How to Report Suspected Abuse
State officials urge anyone who suspects abuse, neglect or exploitation in a long-term care setting to speak up. In Georgia, Adult Protective Services and the Department of Community Health both handle complaints involving older or disabled adults.
The Division of Aging Services operates a statewide tip line at 1-866-55AGING (1-866-552-4464), and the agency also provides an online form for reporting suspected abuse. For complaints involving licensed facilities, the Healthcare Facility Regulation division can be reached at 1-800-878-6442, according to the Georgia Division of Aging Services.
Broader Context
State investigators and prosecutors have relied on the same elder exploitation statute in other criminal cases involving care facilities, using videos, records and similar evidence to support felony charges. Previous enforcement actions and arrests involving suspected abuse of older or disabled adults in Georgia are detailed in past releases from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
