DNA Testing Could Give Answers in Mysterious Wrongful Death of Philadelphia Nursing Home Resident Found with a Disinfectant Wipe Lodged in Her Throat
In January 2022, Cheryl Yewdall, a 50 year-old Philadelphia nursing home resident with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities, died after a paper towel or disinfecting wipe was discovered lodged in her trachea. The woman’s mother secured a wrongful death attorney and filed a lawsuit against Merakey Woodhaven, where her daughter lived since she was ten. New DNA evidence could shed new light on the case.
The family of a Philadelphia nursing home resident who died after choking on a paper towel or disinfecting wipe has requested DNA testing on a hair stuck to the wipe, says a Bowling Green Daily News article. A single black hair, apparently missed by homicide investigators who were unable determine if the death was a homicide or an accident, has been discovered via magnification of police evidence photos by a pathologist for the victim’s family; the family subsequently contacted a judge to request DNA testing of the hair.
In January 2022, workers at Philadelphia’s Merakey Woodhaven found 50 year-old resident Cheryl Yewdall face down on the floor, in a pool of urine, her lips blue—circumstances indicative of nursing home malpractice. A 7-by-10-inch paper towel or cleaning wipe was discovered blocking her airway. Following an investigation, the question of how the wipe got into her throat remains a mystery. After contacting a wrongful death attorney, Yewdall’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the home.
According to the news article, the wrongful death attorney and a second lawyer filed a motion on June 21 that included a photograph of Yewdall with mostly gray hair. The black hair on the wipe—and even the wipe itself—might contain DNA not belonging to Yewdall, contends the wrongful death attorney. The article says that, thus far, no indication of a willingness to conduct DNA testing has been shown.
The nursing home has denied any responsibility for Yewdall’s death. The suit filed by the wrongful death attorney for Yewdall’s family accuses a staff member at Marakey Woodhaven of jamming the paper towel/cleaning wipe down her throat. While Yewdall suffered from cerebral palsy, her medical records indicated a normal functioning of her gag reflex, suggestive of the fact that Yewdall could not have inserted the wad of paper into her own windpipe; furthermore, previous incidents indicative of nursing home malpractice support the lawsuit’s accusations:
- In early 2021, Yewdall suffered an undiagnosed broken leg for weeks. When it was finally discovered, the physician-ordered leg immobilizer went unimplemented.
- Later that year, Yewdall suffered a black eye and swollen cheek, which the facility claimed was the result of a fall.
- Most significantly, an audio recording of Yewdall—who has a condition known as echolalia, which involves the repeating of other people’s words and phrases—reveals her saying, “Listen to me, a———. Settle down baby. I’m going to kill you if you don’t settle down. I’m going to kill you, a———.” According to the lawsuit, these words were overheard by Yewdall at Marakey Woodhaven.
Taking Nursing Homes to Task for Wrongful Death
Attorney Brian P. Murphy is committed to fighting against nursing home malpractice in Philadelphia/PA and NJ nursing homes. No Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing home resident should be subjected to the abusive and negligent acts that amount to nursing home malpractice, and no one should live in fear of nursing home wrongful death. Attorney Brian Murphy has years of experience coming up against Philadelphia/PA and NJ nursing homes in matters of nursing home malpractice and as a wrongful death attorney. He is dedicated to successfully resolving his clients’ cases. Should you find yourself needing to contact a nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, call Brian Murphy today to discuss your legal options.
