Warrensville Heights, Ohio – The family of an 84-year-old woman who died after freezing outside a nursing home has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful death, recklessness, and negligence against the facility’s owners and a nurse. The case centers on the death of Alvera Meuti, a patient at Avenue at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center, whose body was discovered outdoors in freezing conditions late last year, according to reporting by PEOPLE.
Lawsuit Details Alleging Negligence
The lawsuit claims that Meuti went missing on the evening of Dec. 23, 2024, and was later found unresponsive on a patio outside the Warrensville Heights nursing facility. Her family alleges that the facility failed to properly monitor and protect her despite her age and multiple medical conditions that required regular checks.
Named as defendants in the suit are the owners of Avenue at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center and nurse Amber Henderson, who was on duty during the overnight shift when Meuti disappeared.
Claims of Improper Staffing and Security Failures
According to the lawsuit, Meuti was last supposed to be checked at around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 23. When Henderson allegedly discovered that Meuti was not in her room, no immediate report was made and no action was taken to locate her.
The complaint further alleges that Meuti’s room was located next to an exit door that was left unsecured.
“Alvera’s injuries and death were the result of the entity Defendants’ failure to ensure that the Facility was properly staffed and that the Facility was properly secured,” the lawsuit states.
The filing claims that the door should have been equipped with a keypad and alarm system to prevent residents from exiting unnoticed.
Timeline Leading to the Discovery
Prosecutors say that later that night, around 12:36 a.m., Henderson attempted to call Meuti’s family to see if she was with them. When no one answered, Henderson allegedly continued her shift.
It was not until the following morning, around 6:30 a.m., that Henderson reported to her supervisor that she had not seen Meuti throughout her shift. At that point, a “Code Purple” — typically used to indicate a missing patient — was initiated.
Meuti was subsequently found outside on the patio, lying on her back.
Cause of Death and Conditions Outside
The lawsuit states that Meuti was discovered near the area where she exited the building and close to a door that locked behind her, leaving her unable to re-enter the facility. She was pronounced dead, with hypothermia listed as the cause of death.
Family attorneys allege that Meuti froze to death after being left outdoors overnight in cold December temperatures.
Criminal Charges Against Nurse
In March, nurse Amber Henderson was indicted on criminal charges including involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor patient neglect. She was arrested on Jan. 16, 2025, and has entered not guilty pleas to all charges. Court records show her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.
Henderson’s attorney, Charles W. Bennett, said his client bears no responsibility.
“She did nothing wrong,” Bennett said in a statement. “I will vigorously defend her.”
Facility Owners Decline Comment
Attorneys representing the owners of Avenue at Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center could not be reached for comment regarding the lawsuit or the allegations raised by Meuti’s family.
The civil case remains pending as criminal proceedings against Henderson continue in Ohio courts.
