Washington Department of Health
A mother’s intuition and instinct to protect her child has led to an unprofessional conduct charge and a suspended credential for a Pierce County-based health care worker.
Charges state that on or around Dec. 29, 2017, Danielle Kuleana Colburn, a registered nursing assistant and home care aide, abused a disabled 4-year-old child while providing in-home care. The child is non-verbal and suffers from an assortment of ailments including autism, down syndrome, and hypotonia, also known as “floppy baby syndrome’.
A press release from the Department of Health explained that a video camera set up by the child’s mother captured images that depict Colburn “being very rough with the (patient) given (Patient’s) fragile condition.” That mistreatment is said to have included carrying the child by one arm for several feet, hitting the child in the face, dropping the child from her lap to the floor, and using her leg to cause the child to fall to the floor.
During an interview with a Department of Health investigator in February Colburn is said to have admitted to being too rough with the child, and acknowledged that the vulvernable patient could have been injured by her actions. Colburn is prohibited from practicing as a home care aide or nursing assistant until the charges are resolved.
The Department of Health works to protect and promote public health, safety, and welfare in Washington by regulating health care providers. The agency establishes, monitors, and enforces requirements for licensing, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms, and discipline. Anyone who believes a health care providers has acted unprofessionally is encouraged to call 360-236-4700 in order to file a complaint.
