LARGO; BELLEAIR -- One of two nursing assistants charged in the abuse of an elderly man at a Largo nursing home has pleaded no contest to the charge. Euronda E. Green, 31, was charged with neglecting an elderly person in March after she allegedly watched another assistant beat an elderly patient at Oak Manor Nursing Home in Largo. The other assistant, Connie C. Covington, 34, was charged with battering an elderly person.

A housekeeping aide reported seeing Covington push the 89-year-old man onto a bed, then clasp her hands around his throat. The housekeeper left, but came back after hearing more screaming. This time, the man was on the floor in the corner, a bloody cut on the left side of his head. The elderly man, who has dementia, suffered three broken ribs and bruises to his forearm, wrist and chest. The gash on his head needed stitches. Police said Covington choked and hit the elderly victim, while Green was in the room and did nothing to stop the abuse. Green pleaded no contest to the charge on July 1. She was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to pay $838 in fines and costs. Covington is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug. 19.