Detectives with the Salisbury Police Department completed a follow up investigation regarding several complaints of neglect at the Citadel nursing home at 710 Julian Rd. in Salisbury at 10:00 AM on April 23, 2020. Our detectives accompanied the Department of Social Services and the Rowan County Health Department while conducting an inspection of the facilities.
Nursing home staff were cooperative with the police investigation and facilitated interviews and assisted with other fact gathering. Detectives found no evidence of criminal neglect.
Based on guidance from the Rowan County Emergency Management Department all detectives entering the building during the inspection wore the appropriate PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) to lessen any chance of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The purpose of the Crime Scene truck on site was to facilitate detectives changing and staging in proper PPE. We were assisted by the Salisbury Fire Department completing a decontamination process.
The matter is now a closed investigation unless additional complaints are received. Any action or further review of the facility is the purview of the Department of Social Services, Rowan Health Department, or NC Department of Health & Human Services who license nursing homes. The Salisbury Police Department will assist in those matters as needed.