Lowell Women Arraigned On Elder Abuse Charges

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Sabrina Costa, 23, of Lowell, and Kala Shaniece Lopez, 22, of Lowell, were arraigned in Lowell District Court today on charges related to allegedly abusing residents of a nursing home. Lopez was charged with permitting abuse on an elder or disabled person. Costa was charged with assault and battery on a person sixty years of age or older or a person with a disability and permitting abuse on an elder or disabled person.

Judge Ellen Caulo released the defendants on the conditions that they stay away from and have no contact with the victims and that they do not work with the elderly in a healthcare capacity. The next scheduled court hearing in this case is Tuesday, September 22.

“This is an example of individuals taking advantage of our most vulnerable citizens,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan. “These victims were allegedly humiliated and assaulted by the very people who were charged with their care.”

At approximately 2:00 p.m., on Friday, July 31, the Lowell Police Department was called to Wingate Nursing Home on Wentworth Avenue in response to claims from relatives that inappropriate videos of nursing home residents had been posted on Snap Chat by the defendants. Videos included one of the defendants crawling into bed with, and putting her arms around, a nursing home patient as the victim yelled for the defendant to get out. Another video featured a patient being questioned about her personal life by the alleged defendants.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Tommy Noda.