Caregiver charged after Bensenville group home resident suffers serious burns

A caregiver at a Bensenville group home is facing felony charges after an older resident suffered second-degree burns to a majority of her lower body, state authorities said Wednesday.

The office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul said it charged Darnitia Conner, 58, of Glendale Heights with three counts of abuse of a long-term care facility resident, two counts of criminal neglect of a long-term care facility resident and one count of reckless conduct.

Conner, who faces up to two to five years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charges, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in DuPage County court March 10.

According to the attorney general, Conner was a caregiver at a Ray Graham Association home in June 2024 when she failed to test the water temperature prior to placing a resident in a hot shower.

Prosecutors allege Conner later attempted to conceal the incident and failed to notify other staff members and medical personnel about the severity of the injuries.

Residents of RGA community-based homes may have disabilities or health care needs that require 24-hour support from trained staff members, authorities said.

The DuPage County sheriff’s office assisted in the investigation.

“Residents of long-term care facilities and community-based group homes rely on caretakers for their health and wellness,” Raoul said in an announcement of the charges. “All Illinois residents deserve to be safe in their homes, and it is appalling that any caretaker would cause serious harm to an elderly or vulnerable patient in their care.”