Assisted Facility Resident Accused Of Assaulting Nurse

A man residing at an assisted living facility is accused of assaulting an on-duty nurse Monday, severely lacerating her face.

Kenneth R. Cook, born 1952, was charged with first-degree assault.

Cook, who has a previous conviction for first-degree murder, is being held without bond at the Franklin County Jail.

According to the probable cause statement, Washington police officers were dispatched around 3:19 a.m. 

Cook told an officer he “had enough and just snapped.”

The nurse told officers Cook was looking for his money and searching for it inside a medication room. Cook was told not be in the room and that nobody had taken his money.

Cook accused the nurse of stealing his money and told her to call police.

The nurse tried to calm him down, but Cook got angry and asked her if she wanted to die, because he was going to kill her.

Cook allegedly grabbed the nurse and put both hands around her throat, choking her and slamming her head against the wall.

She wrestled free, but Cook punched her in the face and tried to bite her. Cook continued beating on her until she got away from him. Cook took the nurse’s personal phone and work phone.

The victim required stitches for her injuries. She had numerous abrasions, contusions and bite marks on her face and neck.