Deal frees scalder

Ocansey agreed to the plea during a routine hearing to confirm a preliminary hearing date. She faced up to four years in prison if convicted by a jury. Prosecutors originally offered no state prison but amended it after new information came to light about the rest home's policy on medical care. ResCare, a long-term mental health facility, forbids workers from calling 911 until they contact a supervisor, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Ocansey is still considered culpable for waiting hours to even seek her boss.

On May 5, Theresa Rodriguez, 50, was seated in the shower when a malfunction caused 145-degree water to pour onto her lap. Rodriguez, who can't speak or walk, suffered third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body. Ocansey placed a diaper on the woman and let two hours pass before alerting a supervisor. An hour after that, Rodriguez was airlifted to a Santa Clara hospital where she spent more than two months on life support.

At the time of the incident, Ocansey was in the United States for eight months and worked at ResCare for two months as a caretaker. On July 9, police arrested Ocansey. She was very upset and fought officers, according to police reports. She displayed similar agitation during court appearances when she openly sobbed and shook. At one point, a judge even questioned her mental state because of her weeping and refused to lower bail.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.