LEWISBURG, Pa. — A woman will spend time in jail for elder abuse in Union County.
Madison Cox was sentenced Tuesday to three months in jail, followed by 18 months of house arrest. The judge also ruled that Cox cannot work around minors or senior citizens.
Cox, 19, was led out of a Union County courtroom in handcuffs.
Earlier this year, Cox admitted to taking disturbing pictures and videos of at least 12 patients while she worked at Heritage Springs Memory Care near Lewisburg. That is a senior living facility for people with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
Cox was originally supposed to be sentenced in April, but Judge Michael Piecuch rejected her plea agreement, saying it was not sufficient punishment.
Nearly 50 people showed up at the Union County Courthouse to support the victims.
One victim's grandson told the court, "We will always have a heavy wound that time will never heal."
Cox also addressed the court, saying, "I would like to apologize. There was no reason for my behavior. I intend to do better. I will try to work every day to be a better person."
When it came time to sentence Cox, Judge Piecuch told her, "I don't care about the alleged lack of training. No amount of training teaches human decency. Your actions and inactions caused lasting psychological damage."
Cox was sentenced to five years of probation, the first three months to be spent behind bars, followed by a year and a half of house arrest. As part of her sentence, she cannot work around minors or senior citizens.
"I'm pleased with the sentencing in that it is the most that we can do under the current laws in Pennsylvania," Fiedler said. "I'm disappointed that the current laws are not stricter, and there was not more of a punishment."
Cox was immediately taken into custody after the sentencing.