Evansville CNA charged with battery against elderly patient

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – A former employee at Bethel Manor in Evansville was arrested on Friday following an investigation into an alleged battery against an 82-year-old man earlier this month.

According to an affidavit, authorities were alerted to a battery incident that occurred at Bethel Manor on July 5. Police say during their investigation, they learned that Joshua Chun, a certified nursing assistant, struck a dementia patient in the face while he was putting him to bed.

Authorities say the patient, identified in an affidavit as 82-year-old Gardner Weber, received a black eye as a result of the incident and a laceration above left eyebrow. During an interview with authorities, police say Weber was unable to recall being hit by anyone. Police say Weber believed he had been hit by a vehicle. Weber was previously the victim of a hit-and-run in 2022 .

An arrest affidavit for Chun says another employee of Bethel Manor believed Weber may have been combative while Chun was putting him to bed, and that the staff always advises staff to have two employees with him. The same staff member said they were upset to see Chun in trouble, as he is “normally a good employee” who the patients love.

A termination summary for Chun that was dated on July 12 claims Weber had been physically aggressive prior to Chun striking him. The document says the response, while not believed to be driven by malice or aggression, did not align with Bethel Manor’s protocols for managing resident behavior.

An incident report sent to the Indiana State Department of Health says Chun was disabled following a traumatic brain injury sustained while serving in the army. The document states it is believed Chun’s past brain injury “may have influenced his reaction” during the incident.

A handwritten statement signed by Chun says he physically defended himself after Weber started hitting him and attempting to scratch him. Chun also wrote that he allowed his anger to take over, and he deeply regrets his response.

Chun was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to an endangered adult. He is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $750 bond.

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