Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced today that a nurse admitted to assaulting and neglecting an elderly resident at a rehabilitation center in Ocean County, New Jersey.

Lisa L. Erikson, 57, of Manchester, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill in Ocean County to second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree neglect of an elderly adult. As part of the plea, she will permanently forfeit her nursing license, and the state will recommend 364 days in county jail as a condition of probation. Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

“The conduct at issue in this case is deeply disturbing,” said Attorney General Davenport. “This defendant was entrusted with the care of an elderly resident and instead assaulted and neglected him. Such conduct is wholly unacceptable, and those who abuse or neglect elderly residents in their care must be held accountable.”

“Nursing professionals are entrusted with the care of their residents, and our office remains committed to protecting those residents from abuse and neglect,” said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on March 19, 2025, Erikson, a licensed practical nurse working at a rehabilitation and nursing center in Whiting, New Jersey, assaulted an elderly man with dementia, depression, and anxiety.

Erikson retrieved her personal oleoresin capsicum spray ― commonly known as pepper spray ― walked toward the victim and sprayed him at close range as he attempted to shield himself. She then sprayed him again before leaving him on the floor. He remained unattended for several minutes before he crawled to stand up and entered another resident’s room.

Erikson and another person then forcibly removed the victim from the other resident’s room, placed him inside his own room, and shut the door, where they left him without providing any aid. Police and emergency medical services later responded to the center, treated the victim, and transported him to a hospital.

As part of her plea, Erikson admitted using the oleoresin capsicum spray for an unlawful purpose and spraying the resident several times when she was not authorized to do so. She also admitted leaving the resident without care despite having a duty to provide care to him.

This case is being prosecuted by OIFP – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) Deputy Attorney General Camille McKnight. The investigation was conducted by Detective Yvette Vasquez.

New Jersey MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 is $11.6 million. Of that total, 75 percent is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of New Jersey.

If you suspect Medicaid fraud or elder abuse and neglect, report it at Medicaid Fraud or Elder Abuse & Neglect Reporting Form, or by phone at (609) 292-1272, or via email at [email protected].