Police: Woman, 80, choked nurse with cord

An 80-year-old Essex County woman is accused of choking a nurse with a nebulizer cord.

The incident took place last Wednesday at around 10:45 p.m. at Essex Center, a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Elizabethtown.

Mary A. Longe, a resident, is accused of wrapping the cord around the nurse’s neck, obstructing her airway. The nurse was able to get the cord away from her neck, State Police said. 

Longe then allegedly shoved the nurse into a linen closet and started pulling the nurse’s hair. Other staff responded to help the nurse. She was evaluated at Elizabeth Community Hospital but had no injuries.

The investigation determined that Longe was asking for a nebulizer treatment, but the nurse said it was not yet time. Longe then wanted cough syrup and the nurse said she would have to check when it was last administered. Then, Longe attacked, police said.

Longe was arrested and taken to a State Police station. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Elizabethtown Court later this month.