FOX LAKE, Ill. — A suburban woman accused of neglecting and abusing a wheelchair-bound elderly veteran who was in her care is now facing a handful of felony charges.
Fox Lake police said 55-year-old Lynda Serrano, a Spring Grove resident, has been charged with three felony counts of elder abuse or neglect by a caregiver, one misdemeanor count of domestic battery causing bodily harm, and one misdemeanor count of domestic battery with physical contact.
The charges were handed down after an elderly veteran who had been in her care since late 2023, told medical staff at the James Lovell VA Medical Center about the alleged abuse.
According to police, just after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, detectives were informed by staff at the medical center about a patient who had arrived at the facility with multiple bruises on his body. He later told staff members that the bruising happened after Serrano allegedly pushed him, which caused him to fall from his wheelchair onto the floor.
Investigators then determined that Serrano, who had been providing the victim with in-home care since December 2023, had allegedly physically abused and neglected the victim on a regular basis.
According to authorities, on multiple occasions, Serrano allegedly left the victim on the floor for hours after falling and refused him assistance with bathing or personal hygiene.
Authorities added that Serrano had also allegedly left the victim on the toilet for hours and refused to let him use the bathroom by blocking access for his wheelchair.
Serrano was eventually taken into custody by Fox Lake police just before 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.
Following an initial court hearing, Serrano was granted pre-trial release but was ordered not to have any contact with the victim or his residence.