A 51-year old nurse was arrested and charged with assault and other crimes Wednesday after she allegedly used physical force and injured an elderly patient at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, in an attempt to get the patient to take her medication.

Sharon Gail Souders - DCJ photo

Sharon Gail Souders was taken into custody without incident at her home and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail, Bend Police Sgt. Paul Kansky reported. Souders was charged with fourth-degree assault, first-degree criminal mistreatment and coercion, with bail set at $12,500.

The alleged incident took place on February 6 about 11 p.m., when the 76-year old patient suffered facial injuries that the sergeant described as “minor”, but at a level that qualifies as assault.

Sauders was reportedly fired the following day.

Hospital administrators notified the Oregon Board of Nursing, who then notified police on February 15. The investigation, including several interviews and review of documents provided by SCMC, led to Sauder’s arrest, Sgt. Kansky said.