Dunedin Nursing Home Employee Arrested for Abuse of Disabled Residents

Booking image of 35-year-old, Nicholas Brown. Photo by Pinellas County Sheriff's Office | Press Release

A release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) announces the arrest of a 35-year-old St. Petersburg man employed by a Dunedin Nursing Home facility following allegations of abuse to some of its disabled patients.

Detectives with PCSO's Robbery & Homicide Unit began their investigation into Nicholas Brown on December 23, 2024, after an employee with the Lake Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, located at 1351 San Christopher Drive in Dunedin, detailed witnessing the 35-year-old battering two of its residents.

The witness told detectives that while in a room caring for the victims, Brown, who is a Certified Nursing Assistant, struck the victims multiple times on the legs and side with an open hand. Brown then began to strike them with force with an open hand on their buttocks. The victims were evaluated and treated at the facility for non-life-threatening injuries following the incident.

Both of Brown's victims were adult males — one suffers from a traumatic brain injury, while the other is a quadriplegic with intellectual disabilities. Both victims are non-verbal and unable to communicate.

On January 7, 2025, detectives arrested Brown and charged him with two counts of abuse or neglect of an aged or disabled person, a felony violation of Florida Statute 825.102(3)(B)/F. Brown was transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where he awaits trial; his employment was terminated as a result of the incident.

According to Florida Law, Brown faces the potential of serving between 5 and 30 years in prison, dependent on whether he receives a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree felony conviction; also dependent on felony degree is an assigned fine of anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000. It is unlikely that Brown will receive a felony life sentence for a first-documented offense, which would come with more than 30 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Detectives are asking anyone with additional information regarding this case or that know of other potential victims that may have suffered at the hands of Brown to contact Corporal Antonio by phone at 727-582-6722.
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Article by Rachael Volpe