AUGUSTA, GA – An 82-year-old elderly male resident of a senior facility in Augusta passed away after authorities say a temporary nursing assistant assaulted him earlier this month. The suspect is now facing serious charges.
Curtis Hightower III, aged 28, was arrested Sunday and charged with exploitation of an elderly person and aggravated battery. The charges stem from an incident on January 5 at the Barclay Senior Living facility on Frazier Court, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, Harry Millard, suffered critical injuries after allegedly being punched by Hightower, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury. Millard died on January 17 while being treated at a hospital.
Investigators reported that Hightower hit Millard with a closed fist, resulting in Millard’s fall and loss of consciousness. While Hightower initially claimed Millard’s injuries were due to a mere fall, surveillance footage from the facility contradicted his account.
Hightower was employed through Consolidated Medical Staffing, a contracted staffing agency, and his employment at Barclay Senior Living ended following the incident. Executive director Kristen Ryan confirmed Hightower’s employment details with authorities.
Attempts to reach representatives from both Barclay Senior Living and Consolidated Medical Staffing for comments were unsuccessful as of Tuesday.
Millard’s family is grieving, while the broader community is troubled by the incident, raising concerns about the safety protocols and staff vetting in elder care facilities. This tragic event highlights the urgent need for stringent oversight of temporary workers who care for vulnerable residents.
The ongoing investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will further explore any additional safety measures needed to prevent such incidents in the future. Hightower remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.