Nursing home resident dies after alleged assault by 95-year-old fellow resident in Coney Island
Victim identified as 89-year-old Holocaust survivor; alleged attacker hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation as police consult with Brooklyn DA
An 89-year-old resident of a Coney Island nursing home died after being allegedly beaten by a 95-year-old fellow resident late Sunday, police and law enforcement sources said.
Officers responding to the Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center found the victim, later identified as Nina Kravtsov, with a bleeding head wound in her bed just after 10 p.m., authorities said. She was taken to NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn and was initially listed in critical condition; police said she succumbed to her injuries early Monday.
Police said a metal piece from a wheelchair was used in the attack. The device was seen on the pavement outside the facility on Monday behind crime-scene tape, according to law enforcement sources. The alleged assailant, a 95-year-old resident whom police described as having dementia, was taken to Coney Island Hospital for a physical and psychiatric evaluation and remained there Tuesday as investigators and the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and considered whether to bring charges.
Krаvstov's daughter, Lucy Flom, said her mother was a Holocaust survivor who emigrated from Ukraine and worked as a nurse before moving to the United States. Flom told reporters her mother moved to the nursing home about five years ago after the death of her husband and that she had been devoted to her family.
"She was 5 years old when she was in the ghetto. She had a big family. She lost most of her family," Flom said, describing Kravstov's wartime experience and later life. Flom said her mother came to the U.S. so Flom could receive a good education and that Kravstov had been a single mother who later remarried and welcomed stepchildren into the family.
Neighbors in Brighton Beach, where Kravstov lived for years before entering the nursing home, recalled her as well known in the community. Former neighbors said she had many friends there and that she was respected for her nursing career in Ukraine and her dedication to family.
Officials have not publicly released the name or medical status of the alleged attacker. Police and prosecutors are examining the circumstances of the assault, and investigators have sought medical and psychiatric evaluations to determine the resident's condition and capacity. New York state law and local regulations govern the care of long-term care residents with cognitive impairment, and such cases often prompt review of facility protocols, staffing and resident supervision.
The Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Local health and licensing authorities may also be involved as part of the inquiry into the incident.
Police said the investigation remains active. Prosecutors and investigators are reviewing medical records, staff reports and witness statements to establish a timeline and determine whether criminal charges are warranted. Family members said they are grieving and seeking answers about the circumstances that led to Kravtsov's death.