By: Richard L. Smith
A Camden woman who worked as a certified nurse’s aide has admitted assaulting a vulnerable nursing home patient by intentionally spraying bleach into her face and eyes.
According to a press release sent by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Simone Goldsboro, 37, of Camden, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Kurt E. Kramer to third-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree assault upon an institutionalized elderly person.
Authorities said Goldsboro was working at Avista Healthcare Nursing Home in Cherry Hill in 2023 when the incident occurred.
On August 17, 2023, Goldsboro was caring for a woman over the age of 60 who had been left paralyzed on one side of her body following a stroke.
According to court records, Goldsboro admitted using more force than necessary while undressing the patient to clean her. She then left the room, retrieved a spray bottle containing bleach from a custodian’s cart and returned.
Investigators said Goldsboro knew the bleach was intended for custodial cleaning and not for use on patients.
She admitted intentionally spraying the chemical at the woman, including into her face and eyes, despite knowing it could cause serious injuries, including temporary or permanent vision loss.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said residents and their families must be able to trust those responsible for providing care at residential facilities and that abuse of elderly and vulnerable patients will not be tolerated.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Goldsboro serve 364 days in the Camden County Jail and permanently forfeit her certified nurse’s aide license.
The state will also seek a period of probation following her jail sentence.
Goldsboro is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2026.