A nurse’s assistant is facing many counts after the death of a 95-year-old resident at a Northwest Indiana care facility and allegations of abuse against others.
Denise Beard, of Gary, has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and four charges of violence on a disabled person.
The investigation began on December 14, 2025, following an alleged incident at Munster Med Inn, a short- and long-term care facility in Munster.
Another staff member screaming was coming from the room of a 95-year-old woman, eventually identified as Laura Stump. The staff member claimed to police she witnessed Beard move the victim “too close” to the end of the bed, allegedly causing skin to peel off her arm and hand.
Stump’s daughter received a phone call from her mother and a nurse about the alleged event, and she immediately drove to the facility, according to records.
Stump informed her daughter that Beard allegedly grabbed and shook her right arm repeatedly.
After she said that, Beard apparently confronted the 95-year-old and said the following.
“You’re a racist old white b***h.”
Beard was also accused of repeatedly hitting Stump on the arms with a closed fist. Redness was also seen on Stump’s face.
“You’ve hurt me,” Stump reportedly told Beard. “You called me names and tore my skin.”
Two days later, Stump died from a “debilitating” stroke.
Following the investigation, several residents accused Beard of abusing them.
A woman who had lived at Munster Med Inn for ten years told police that Beard allegedly called her a “smelly b***h” and hit her in the forehead with a closed hand on December 14.
Documents indicate that Beard also slapped the woman’s mentally handicapped roommate.
An 80-year-old man said that on the same night, Beard allegedly called him a “bitch” before removing his bed control and inserting both of her middle fingers into his face.
According to documents, she then took a water bottle off the tray table and threw it in his face.
The investigation discovered that Beard worked at another care facility in Gary from September 10 to October 8.
Beard was fired after reportedly punching a 95-year-old resident on October 8. She allegedly attempted to assault another coworker after learning she had been fired, according to records.
According to court documents, the judge did not find probable cause for a dependent’s death due to neglect but did for the other counts. Her bail amount was set at $40,000.
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