Ocean County Nursing Home: Neglect and Pepper Spray Incident Uncovered

Woman Charged After Teen and Pets Found in Filthy Conditions

Ocean County Nursing Home: Neglect and Pepper Spray Incident Uncovered

According to Manchester Township Police Department, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at approximately 8:52 PM, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Whiting Gardens, located at 3000 Hilltop Road, for a report involving an altercation between staff and a patient.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with Licensed Practical Nurse Lisa Erikson, who reported that an 87-year-old patient, who suffers from dementia, depression, and anxiety, had become agitated and began damaging property within the facility. Ms. Erikson stated that, in response to the perceived threat, she deployed personal pepper spray in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Facility staff subsequently confined the patient to his room pending the arrival of police and emergency medical personnel.

As part of the investigation, officers obtained statements from staff and reviewed surveillance footage. The video showed the patient damaging property at the nurses' station before walking down the hallway in a manner that did not appear aggressive or threatening. Ms. Erikson is then seen approaching the patient from behind and deploying pepper spray directly to his face at extremely close range, followed by a second application.

The patient then fell to the ground and remained unattended for several minutes before being forcibly moved to his room by CNA Joshua Benner, with assistance from Ms. Erikson.

The patient remained in his room and was left without medical aid for approximately 46 minutes. Upon arrival, Manchester EMS rendered medical assistance and transported the patient to Community Medical Center (CMC) for further evaluation.

On April 2, 2025, following consultation with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, charges were approved, and warrants were issued for three individuals in connection with the incident:

Lisa Erikson, 58, of Manchester, LPN, was charged with: -Aggravated Assault (2C:12-1B), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (2C:39-4D) Abandonment or Neglect of an Elderly Person or Disabled Adult (2C:24-8A).

Ms. Erikson was apprehended on April 11, 2025, and transported to Ocean County Jail awaiting her detention hearing.

Celia Anetz-Sanzari, 58, of Manchester, the on-duty nursing supervisor, was charged with: Abandonment or Neglect of an Elderly Person or Disabled Adult (2C:24-8A);

Joshua Benner, 34, of Brick, Certified Nursing Assistant, was charged with: Abandonment or Neglect of an Elderly Person or Disabled Adult (2C:24-8A)

The charges referenced above are merely accusations, and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.