A Robbinsville nurse has been charged after a coworker reported she assaulted a resident with a disability at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation. State regulators have suspended the nurse’s license, and criminal proceedings are now pending in Graham County.
Allegations From a Board Report
According to a report from the North Carolina Board of Nursing, as cited by The Charlotte Observer, 56-year-old Robin M. Hoffman was working at the facility on May 5 when a fellow employee told leadership she “violently shake[d] a patient’s wheelchair, punch[ed] the patient on the back and shove[d] her by the neck.” The board report states the patient had tried to get water from behind the nurses' station when Hoffman allegedly began screaming and struck her.
Board Suspends License
The North Carolina Board of Nursing's disciplinary action log lists Hoffman with a summary suspension entered on June 8 and notes that an administrative hearing is scheduled for July 29, according to the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The board's online records show her as a compact LPN, and a summary suspension removes the nurse’s authority to practice while the board investigates.
Alleged Injuries and Facility Response
Facility leadership told investigators they escorted Hoffman off the premises and contacted law enforcement after the complaint. A witness reported the patient suffered scratches to the neck, bruising on the right arm and two swollen fingers. Court records show Hoffman was later released on a $50,000 bond and that charges are pending in Graham County District Court, details reported by The Charlotte Observer.
What Comes Next in Court
Cases of this type are handled in Graham County District Court. The county courthouse, at 12 Court St. in Robbinsville, hears misdemeanor charges and other local matters, according to the North Carolina Judicial Branch's location page. The timing of the next steps will depend on both the county courthouse calendar and the state board's administrative schedule, which together will determine the dates for the criminal proceedings and the board hearing.
Legal Implications
Hoffman was charged with misdemeanor assault on an individual with a disability. The count is being handled in district court and carries possible misdemeanor penalties if she is convicted. Separately, the North Carolina Board of Nursing has used its authority to protect patients by summarily suspending her license while it conducts the administrative hearing on July 29, according to the board's records.
