Florida caregiver arrested following fatal neglect of 86-year-old hospice patient

A Florida home health worker, Beatrice Taylor, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter after she allegedly let an 86-year-old man die on the floor after a severe fall. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor failed to seek immediate medical attention and instead went back to sleep, claiming the man was “old anyway.”

Taylor, employed by Assisting Hands Home Health Care, was on duty caring for Edward Anderson, an elderly man in hospice care following a hospital stay for heart-related issues. According to authorities, the incident took place during her night shift on August 15, 2024. Deputies report that Taylor had started her shift at 9 p.m. after being briefed by the dayshift assistant that Anderson and his wife were in bed, though not yet asleep.

Caregiver hears fall, fails to act

Around 1 a.m., after falling asleep on the couch—against company policy—Taylor reportedly heard a loud “thump” coming from Anderson’s bedroom. Investigators state that she entered the room to find Anderson lying on the floor, his head wedged between the nightstand and the bed.

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Despite Anderson’s condition, Taylor allegedly left him on the floor after he told her not to touch him. She failed to notify emergency services or her employer, both of which were required by company policy.

Instead of acting, deputies say Taylor returned to sleep.

Elderly man left on the floor for hours

Taylor did not check on Anderson again until between 3:45 and 4:53 a.m., at which point she engaged in a 40-minute phone conversation with her parents before attending to the man. When she eventually checked on him, Anderson was unconscious but still lying on the floor.

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According to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Carrie Horstman, Taylor finally contacted emergency services hours later—only after speaking with her parents, who instructed her to dial 911. However, she first called the corporate portal of Assisting Hands before contacting 911 at 5:37 a.m.

By the time paramedics arrived, Anderson had passed away.

Cause of death

An autopsy confirmed that Anderson died of positional asphyxia, with his existing medical conditions contributing to his death. Cardiac data from Anderson’s pacemaker showed that he had been alive at the time of his fall around 1 a.m., and authorities believe he could have survived had Taylor followed protocol and called 911 immediately.

“According to the Medical Examiner, had Taylor called 9-1-1 when she first found the victim, as required by her own company’s policy, the victim would not have died,” stated Horstman.

Taylor’s response and arrest

Despite the circumstances, Taylor maintained her innocence when speaking with officers, asserting, “I didn’t kill that man.” She further justified her actions by telling a paramedic, “He was old anyway, so what does it matter?”

Taylor was arrested and charged with manslaughter for her failure to render aid or seek help, which directly contributed to Anderson’s death. The case has sparked outrage and serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of adhering to caregiving standards and policies when caring for vulnerable individuals.