news-record.com

GREENSBORO — State authorities are investigating a local assisted-living community after one of its residents died of hypothermia after getting locked outside the building on Christmas Eve.

Staff at Loyalton of Greensboro on Lawndale Drive found Edith Purvis, 85, outside of the building about 3 a.m. on Dec. 24. Purvis was taken to Moses Cone Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, according to a police report.

Tammy Martin, executive director of Loyalton, estimated that Purvis had been outside less than two hours before she was found. Temperatures were below freezing.

On Dec. 30, a division of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services began an investigation into the death.

“They’re looking to see if the facility has any culpability in the incident,” said Jim Jones, a spokesman for the agency.

Jones declined to discuss details of the case, but he said if Loyalton is found culpable, it could face up to a $20,000 fine. The findings also could impact the status of the center’s license.

Martin said staff discovered Purvis was missing while doing routine room checks about 3 a.m. They immediately searched the center and then the grounds outside, she said.

Martin said doors are locked after dark for safety reasons to prevent anyone from entering the building. They are not locked from the inside, however. She said Purvis was found near a side door, which staff believe is the one she used to leave. Alarms have been added to doors since Purvis’ death, Martin said.

“We’re cooperating with any investigation going on,” she said. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and we feel like we lost a member of our own family.”

Loyalton’s Greensboro facility has a relatively clean state inspection record. It received a three-star rating out of four stars over the last two years and five inspections. However, it did receive nine demerits in its most recent annual inspection, including a penalty under the category of resident care and services. The center also was fined $3,600 by the state last April for failing to administer medications as ordered.

Police also investigated the death of Purvis but closed their case without filing charges.

Jones said such investigations by the state typically take 15 to 20 days to complete.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 627-4881, Ext. 120, or brian.ewing@news-record.com