A 24-year-old certified nursing assistant accused of attacking an elderly resident inside a Rochester nursing home has pleaded not guilty to felony charges, following an arrest announced by the state attorney general’s office. C’Vanna Gibson allegedly assaulted the man overnight in December, causing bleeding and bruising, according to prosecutors.
According to the New York State Attorney General’s office, the alleged assault happened around 3:30 a.m. on December 11, 2025, inside the resident’s room at Kirkhaven nursing home in Rochester. Investigators say Gibson grabbed the elderly man’s arm and pushed him into his bed, causing a large skin tear, bleeding, and bruising. On the social platform X, the NY AG James
account wrote that “every New Yorker living in a nursing home deserves safe and compassionate care” in announcing the arrest.
Allegations Include Twisting, Thrown Liquid
State prosecutors say the assault went further than the initial injuries reported. According to the same office, Gibson also allegedly grabbed and twisted the resident’s genitals and threw liquid in his face. The resident was taken to a hospital and reported the attack to the Rochester Police Department, which referred the case to the state for further investigation.
Gibson was arrested and arraigned Thursday in Rochester City Court before Judge Melissa Barrett, where she entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. The top charge against her is first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. She also faces a misdemeanor count of wilful violation of health laws.
Facility Carries Lowest Possible Federal Rating
Kirkhaven sits at 254 Alexander Street in Rochester and is legally registered as Genesee Valley Presbyterian Nursing Center, a 147-bed non-profit facility offering both short-term rehab and long-term care, per ProPublica. Federal Medicare records updated last month list the facility with an overall rating of Much Below Average, or 1 out of 5 stars, according to Medicare.gov.
Gibson was arrested in connection with the case.
Part of a Broader State Crackdown
The case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, a specialized task force with a $70.8 million annual budget, three-quarters of which is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as Hoodline has previously reported. Attorney General Letitia James said her office has launched multiple elder abuse investigations in nursing homes across New York State to ensure caregivers who endanger vulnerable seniors face criminal prosecution.
It remains unclear whether Kirkhaven took any internal disciplinary action against Gibson following the December incident or how long she remained employed there afterward. Gibson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
