Nurse gets probation in neglect of sick child

A registered nurse was placed on two years probation Tuesday after she admitted neglecting a 5-year-old disabled Glen Ellyn girl.

But Lovejoy R. DeMesa denies she intended to harm the child, who suffers from cerebral palsy and scoliosis.

The 34-year-old Bolingbrook woman argued she was trying to help the child when she unhooked her from a ventilator 11 times -- once for up to 56 minutes -- on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, 2005.

The girl's parents grew suspicious of their nurse's care and videotaped her while she worked the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift in their home.

"In her mind, she actually thought she was helping this girl build up a resistance," defense attorney Vincent Miceli said. "On the video, she was always very gentle with the girl. You never saw her hitting the child or being rough."

The child did not suffer permanent injury, but prosecutor Jeff Muntz said DeMesa acted without a doctor's approval. Muntz said the child is only supposed to be removed from her ventilator for a few minutes for suctioning.

"The child can't speak, but her parents noticed she became agitated whenever the nurse was around," Muntz said. "They became suspicious and videotaped her."

Police arrested DeMesa in March 2006 on a misdemeanor charge. After a further review of the videotapes, prosecutors upgraded the charges to felonies. She faced up to five years in prison.

In a plea deal, DeMesa admitted to criminal neglect of a disabled person. Prosecutors dropped 35 other counts alleging criminal abuse and neglect.

DeMesa, a wife and mother, did not have a criminal history. She became a licensed registered nurse in Illinois in 2001. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reprimanded her in April for the arrest.

Prosecutors are sending a letter notifying the state agency of the conviction. The agency's medical panel will review the case to determine if she should lose her license.

DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis, who presided over the case, ordered DeMesa not to attempt contact with the family. She must get counseling if probation officials deem it appropriate.

The girl, who is nearly 7, and her family have since moved. Muntz said they pursued charges with the hope DeMesa would not have access to other disabled children.