Abena Afrakomah Says No Sex With Demons

May 2, 2008

Middletown, OH - As a caregiver for Griswold Special Care, Abena Afrakomah had the same client for two years: a 74-year-old woman who cannot speak. Afrakomah’s job was to provide in-home non-medical care for the elderly woman, including personal care and some housekeeping. But that’s not all that was going on in the client’s home. Afrakomah, 57, allegedly became convinced some months ago that her frail client was having a sexual relationship - with evil spirits.

The victim, who communicates by writing, had a substitute caregiver one day in March. When she got the opportunity, the woman told the substitute aide that Afrakomah was hurting her and pulling her hair. The substitute aide followed Griswold protocol and immediately reported the suspected abuse to the agency, who began their own internal investigation. However, the client requested that the investigation be stopped shortly after it began, and Afrakomah was allowed to return to the client’s home.

Then this week, the victim was found with bruising, cuts and swelling to her face and bruises on her arms. Afrakomah is accused of telling her elderly client that she “needed to be punished” for “having sex with evil spirits”. Afrakomah allegedly pinched the victim “in her groin area” and hit or beat the victim, causing her injuries. Griswold Special Care isn’t commenting on why Afrakomah was allowed to return to the victim’s residence as a caregiver after the initial abuse report was made.

Abena Afrakomah was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of assault by a caregiver. That charge only carries an 18-month sentence if convicted, so if you live in Ohio, check out your grandmother’s home health aides. Afrakomah will probably walk and do no time at all, while her victim will be scarred emotionally for the rest of her life. Afrakomah is already out of jail, having posted $750 of a $7500 bond.

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