Nurse's aide charged with elderly abuse gets new judge, arraignment set

A Cape Girardeau woman charged with elder abuse has been assigned a new judge and a new court date, court officials say.

Sherri L. Sprenger, a nurse's aide who prosecutors say backhanded a 98-year-old resident at the Lutheran Home, asked for a change of judge, which she was granted. Sprenger, who no longer works at the nursing home, now will stand before Judge Michael J. Bullerdieck at 9 a.m. Oct. 3. Sprenger had been scheduled to appear before Judge Gary Kamp on Monday.

Allegations against Sprenger were made Aug. 22, leading to a charge of third-degree elderly abuse, a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and as much as a $1,000 fine, if convicted. Sprenger had been employed there as a nurse's aide to provide bedside care.

Police responded to the nursing home last month for a report of a resident who had bruising on her face, according to court documents. During interviews with staff members, police were told that the victim had said she was slapped by a worker there and police later identified Sprenger.