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Man suffering from dementia dies after Beaver County hospital shoving
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An 82-year-old man suffering from dementia has died of brain injuries suffered Wednesday when police say another resident attacked him in the mental health ward of a Beaver County hospital.
Gerald Rooney Jr. of Economy died Sunday at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital in Brighton.
Peter W. Kuchynsky, 58, who was already in jail on an assault charge in the incident, was expected to be arraigned today instead on a charge of homicide.
Hospital employees believe Mr. Rooney entered Mr. Kuchynsky's room by mistake, apparently looking for a jacket. Mr. Kuchynsky, who is schizophrenic, shoved the older man out of the room, police said. Mr. Rooney fell and hit his head.
He was in critical condition and died of head trauma, according to the coroner's office.
Mr. Kuchynsky will be arraigned by video later today.
First Published July 10, 2012 10:12 am
