Facility Alert: Spring Hills Lake Mary Assisted Living Facility Abuse - Employee Arrested for Assaulting 85-Year-Old Resident

A disturbing case of assisted living facility abuse in Florida has surfaced at Spring Hills Lake Mary, an assisted living facility in Lake Mary (Seminole County), Florida. Authorities report that an aide was arrested after allegedly pushing an 85-year-old resident with dementia to the ground, causing a serious head injury. This incident has also been reported on Fox35 Orlando.

Spring Hills Lake Mary Assisted Living Abuse: What Happened?

According to the Lake Mary Police Department arrest report, the victim, identified as Jeanne Zak, was involved in an altercation with staff member Naqia Neal, 48, on September 21, 2025.

Surveillance video from the memory care dining area shows Zak and Neal arguing back and forth. Neal moved toward Zak as she stood near a sink. When Zak pointed her finger near Neal’s face, Neal quickly raised her arms and stepped forward. Zak then fell backwards, striking her head on the ground. Investigators determined Neal’s actions directly caused the fall. Disturbingly, the video shows Neal walking away after the fall, leaving Zak on the floor.

Police charged Neal with battery on a person 65 or older (a felony) and noted the conduct could have also violated Florida Statute § 825.102(3), which prohibits neglect of an elderly or disabled adult.

Facility Reporting Delays

The arrest report paints a troubling picture of how Spring Hills Lake Mary ALF responded. Instead of immediately contacting police, staff initially reported the incident to the Lake Mary Fire Department as a “fall.” The victim’s daughter, Dona Pappalardo, was first told about the incident by emergency responders, not the facility. Even then, she was only told her mother had fallen. Nearly 24 hours passed before Spring Hills Lake Mary ALF management contacted police and disclosed that the injury involved an altercation with staff. Pappalardo later reviewed the video herself, after pushing the facility for answers and involving law enforcement.

Contradictions in Staff Statements

The police report also highlights inconsistencies. While staff first described the incident as a fall, the video showed that it was the staff member's conduct that led to Zak hitting the ground. Neal allegedly sent an email to management claiming she was involved in an “incident with Jean,” but did not initially disclose the full circumstances. Investigators documented that Zak, who suffers from dementia, was unable to recall or explain what happened, making facility transparency even more critical.

Legal Duties and Obligations of Florida Assisted Living Facilities

This case is not just about the actions of one aide. It underscores the legal duty of Florida assisted living facilities to properly train and supervise staff, especially those working in memory care units with residents who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These vulnerable residents require patience, redirection, and de-escalation techniques, not physical force.

Under Florida law, the Assisted Living Facility Resident Bill of Rights (Fla. Stat. § 429.28) guarantees residents the right to live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Families also have the right to be promptly informed of any injury, incident, or health change affecting their loved one. When a facility fails to provide adequate dementia-care training or delays disclosure after an incident, it not only places residents at risk, but also violates Florida’s statutory protections for assisted living facility residents.

FIDJ Holds Florida Assisted Living Facilities Accountable for Abuse and Neglect

At FIDJ, we hold Florida assisted living facilities accountable when they abuse or neglect residents, particularly those with dementia who cannot protect themselves or speak up. We investigate what went wrong, expose violations of Florida law, and pursue justice on behalf of injured residents and their families.

If your loved one was abused and/or neglected at a Florida assisted living facility, contact the experienced attorneys at FIDJ for a free, confidential, no-pressure case review.