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WILKES-BARRE — A nurse supervisor at a skilled nursing care center failed to appear for her sentencing Wednesday after pleading guilty to neglecting a patient who later died.
Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough issued a warrant for Kelly Levandowski, 40, of Nanticoke, who was set to be sentenced on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Levandowski pleaded guilty in September.
The state Office of Attorney General charged Levandowski in January after investigating the 2013 death of Melvin Johnson, 72.
Johnson was a patient at Guardian Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center where Levandowski was the nurse supervisor on June 20, 2013. On that day, Johnson pulled a tracheotomy tube from his throat and died hours later.
Investigators alleged Levandowski failed to order one-on-one care for Johnson and forced an aide to fill out a form that Johnson was checked by a nurse every 15 minutes. The aide told investigators she filled out the form because she felt intimidated by Levandowski.
Levandowski’s attorney, John Pike, told Vough he spoke with his client on Tuesday and made her aware she was scheduled to be in court at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to be sentenced.
“Where’s your client?” the judge asked Pike.
Pike responded, “Good question your honor.”
Vough issued a warrant for Levandowski’s arrest.