COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA — Prosecutors in Virginia are escalating their investigation into widespread abuse and neglect at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, petitioning for a rare special grand jury after identifying what they describe as "substantially more victims" than originally known, according to multiple reports from Richmond-area news outlets.
The case, which first came to public attention in December 2024 when police arrested nearly 20 staff members at the 196-bed facility, has grown far beyond its initial scope. What began as an investigation into the death of a 74-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and diabetes — who reportedly died of sepsis caused by severe pressure wounds — has expanded to encompass allegations of drug diversion, medication theft, document falsification, and potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud, as reported by WRIC and CBS 6.
A Pattern of Alleged Abuse Uncovered Through Text Messages
The arrests stemmed from a complaint filed in October 2024 by the Virginia Department of Adult Protective Services, according to reporting by NBC12. When investigators examined communications between licensed practical nurses at the facility, they discovered text messages that painted a disturbing picture of care conditions. One nurse reportedly wrote that nonverbal residents — patients unable to advocate for themselves — were denied their medications, as reported by Nurse.org.
Among those arrested were facility Administrator Shawonda Jeter, Director of Nursing Kamesha Kittrell, Nurse Trainer Danielle Harris, and Night Nurse Shakima Brewer, according to NBC12. In total, the original charges included seven felony counts of abuse and neglect, 27 counts of falsifying patient records, two obstruction charges, and two misdemeanor abuse and neglect counts, as detailed by Nurse.org. The facility's medical director, Dr. Gohar Abbasi, was separately arrested in January 2025 for allegedly releasing a high-risk patient without a proper assessment, according to the same report.
At a court hearing on March 26, 2025, Commonwealth's Attorney Gray Collins told the court that investigators had uncovered additional evidence from seized documents and identified at least four more alleged victims beyond the original case, as reported by WTVR. By May 2025, Collins took the unusual step of filing nolle prosequi orders to temporarily drop remaining charges — not to end the prosecution, but to broaden the investigation's scope, according to NBC12.
Legal analyst Steve Benjamin suggested to NBC12 that federal interest in potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud — specifically billing for care that was never actually provided — could explain the strategic pause in state-level proceedings. Collins subsequently petitioned for a special grand jury with authority to investigate a sweeping range of alleged criminal conduct including assault, sexual battery, drug possession, medication theft and sale, money laundering, and fraud, according to NBC12.
Two deaths have ultimately been linked to substandard care at the facility, with multiple lawsuits filed by families of affected residents, as reported by NBC12.
CMS Inspection History
Federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reveals a facility that was already flagged for serious regulatory shortcomings well before the criminal case emerged. Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center holds the lowest possible overall rating of one out of five stars from CMS, with equally poor marks of one star for both health inspections and staffing levels. The facility's quality measures rating stands at four stars, but that metric is based on self-reported data and does not reflect the conditions described in criminal complaints.
CMS records show 113 total deficiencies documented across 14 inspections. During the most recent federal inspection on May 12, 2023, surveyors cited the facility for failing to timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft to proper authorities — a deficiency classified at severity level E, indicating a pattern of noncompliance. That same inspection found the facility failed to respond appropriately to all alleged violations, also at the pattern level, and lacked sufficient staff members with competencies to meet residents' behavioral health needs.
An April 2023 inspection also documented failures in developing complete care plans within the required seven-day window following comprehensive assessments. The facility has paid $101,010 in CMS monetary penalties, accepting a 35 percent discount settlement, according to NBC12.
Ownership & Operations
Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is operated as a for-profit limited liability company. The facility is owned by Innovative Healthcare Management LLC, according to Nurse.org. The ownership structure — a for-profit LLC model — is consistent with industry patterns that consumer advocates have long scrutinized for potential conflicts between profit incentives and patient care obligations.
Following the mass arrests, the facility underwent a leadership change. New administrator Kavitha Nallabelli took over on May 26, 2025, and reportedly brought the facility into full Virginia Department of Health compliance within two days, according to NBC12. The center has since undertaken a $2.5 million renovation that includes 34 newly remodeled rooms with updated beds, flooring, and medical equipment such as bladder scanners and vital sign machines. The facility resumed accepting new admissions on June 1, 2025, and now operates with approximately 200 staff members serving 134 residents, as reported by NBC12.
Resources for Families
Families with loved ones in Virginia long-term care facilities who suspect abuse, neglect, or substandard care have several avenues for reporting concerns and seeking assistance.
The Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program serves as an independent advocate for nursing home residents and can be reached at 1-800-552-3402. Ombudsman representatives can investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and help families understand their loved ones' rights under federal and state law.
The National Elder Abuse Hotline, operated by the Administration for Community Living, is available at 1-800-677-1116 and can connect callers with local protective services agencies.
Families may also contact their local Adult Protective Services office or file complaints directly with the Virginia Department of Health. Federal regulations require nursing facilities to maintain procedures for investigating and resolving allegations of abuse and neglect, and residents have the right to voice grievances without fear of retaliation.
Additional resources and information about long-term care residents' rights are available through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at ltcombudsman.org.
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