Rhinebeck Nursing Home Staff Member Charged With Resident Assault

New York woman arrested for allegedly striking a disabled patient at a Hudson Valley senior care facility.

At some point our grandparents, parents, friends and family members may need the care of a nursing home. A place for our loved ones, who might not be able to care for themselves any longer, to receive medical care, and assistance with daily living. At the very least we should expect these facilities to provide a secure and supportive environment for the people we love. Sadly, that is not always the case.

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On Friday October 31st, Troopers from the New York State Police Rhinebeck barracks responded to Ferncliff Nursing Home, located at 21 Ferncliff Drive, in the Town of Rhinebeck, for a report of a staff member who had abused a resident.

During their investigation, New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at Rhinebeck determined that 75-year-old Janice L. Germano of Tivoli, New York, struck a resident in the face.

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According to the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis, under New York Penal Law § 260.25 you could be prosecuted for endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree if you knowingly engage in conduct which is likely to physically, mentally, or morally injure a person who is unable to care for himself or herself because of a physical disability, or due to a mental disease or defect.

On November 5th, Germano was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person, which is a class E felony. Germano was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Rhinebeck Court on November 12, 2025, at 5:00pm.

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