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Retired detective discusses similarities between cases of Pa. nursing home caregiver charged with homicides, serial killer Charles Cullen

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Retired detective discusses similarities between cases of Pa. nursing home caregiver charged with homicides, serial killer Charles Cullen


EASTON, Pa. – Investigators are digging into the past of a western Pennsylvania nursing home worker, who’s now facing two counts of homicide and one count of attempted murder. One retired detective says aspects of that case are ominously similar to that of Charles Cullen, the nurse known for terrorizing eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.

It wasn’t illness or age. Investigators say it was Heather Pressdee who killed two patients and tried to wipe out another at a Butler County nursing home.

“Instead of caring for them, she intentionally and maliciously injected them with insulin to kill them,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a Twitter video.

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This case is particularly disturbing to Tim Braun, who is now retired in South Carolina.

He’s one of the detectives credited with getting the Lehigh Valley’s most notorious serial killer, Charles Cullen, behind bars. The nurse admitted to murdering 29 patients and is suspected of killing hundreds of others in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It’s all featured in a documentary and a film on Netflix.

Braun, who continues to consult law enforcement agencies on similar cases, pieced through Presdee’s criminal complaint.

“It’s filled with red flags,” said Braun.

Cullen worked at 11 facilities in 16 years. An affidavit shows Presdee worked at 11 within four and a half, all in western PA. Investigators say again and again, she was disciplined for abusive behavior, then resigned or was fired.

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“I strongly believe there are more victims, and I do believe other people around her suspected or knew what she may have been up to also, and that needs to be explored further,” said Braun.

The PA Attorney General’s Office is now investigating, so it said it couldn’t do an interview, just yet.

Documents show it was victims’ families that brought the case to police’s attention.

Braun says all too often, workplaces stay silent, in fear of it damaging their reputations.

“From your experience with Cullen, a lot of the facilities in our area were more concerned with money and power, and you think that might be a theme that’s repeating itself here with her case?” 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori asked Braun.

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“It does seem that way. The pattern is eerily similar,” said Braun. “Because her license appears to have been still active at the time of her arrest, it might indicate that she was not reported to the nursing board.”

Facilities accredited with what’s called the Joint Commission are required to report “sentinel events.” Those result in a patient’s death or harm.

69 News reached out to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Office about potential measures to stop bad seed caregivers from moving place to place but did not hear back.

In New Jersey, the Cullen Law now allows employers to give honest, negative references that reveal negligence and incompetence.

“You can write all the laws you want. People have to follow or not follow them,” said Braun.

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Braun is doing his part to protect vulnerable victims by planning presentations to teach law enforcement and health care and nursing home workers what to look for.

The goal is to prevent criminal caregivers from killing.

“Hopefully, there aren’t too many,” said Braun.





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Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice

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Barron Trump to attend University of Pennsylvania? Pro-Palestinian protests influence college choice


Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron, is currently exploring universities to attend. Having graduated from high school last month, Barron has been applying to various colleges and, according to his father, was accepted at all the institutions he applied to. In a recent Fox News interview, Trump stated that Barron’s college search has been impacted by the recent pro-Palestinian protests and “rioting” occurring on campuses nationwide.

Barron Trump, son of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, receives his diploma during his graduation ceremony at Oxbridge Academy, Friday, May 17, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)(AP)

Is Barron Trump planning to attend UPenn?

Barron, 18, was previously chosen by the Florida GOP to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, an offer he later declined. He often makes headlines due to his tall height and his resemblance to his mother, Melania. The only child of Donald and Melania Trump, Barron was a senior at Oxbridge Academy near West Palm Beach and recently graduated in the midst of his father’s high-profile hush money trial. About a year ago, Donald Trump mentioned that his youngest son was considering the University of Pennsylvania, where he himself attended and studied at the Wharton School.

Also read: US braces for wild weather week: Extreme heat in Midwest, Northeast to sudden snowfall and thunderstorms

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College decision altered by ‘rioting’

Lately, numerous prestigious colleges in the United States, such as UPenn, Columbia, and NYU, have emerged as key locations for intense pro-Palestinian protests. Across the country, more than 130 educational institutions have seen thousands of students come together to protest the current situation in Gaza, arranging rallies and establishing temporary camps. Even with over 2,000 arrests, these protests continue as colleges prepare for their upcoming graduation ceremonies.

During his interview with FOX, the Republican party’ presumptive nominee said, his son’s choice of college destination was changed due to “rioting.” Its is yet to be seen where he goes.

Also read: Meghan Markle’s business move has nothing to do with Kate’s return as she has ‘no control over…’

UPenn plans to tackle campus protests

On June 6, the University of Pennsylvania introduced new, stringent guidelines for campus events and demonstrations. The “temporary standards and procedures” policy specifies that “encampments and overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any University location, regardless of space (indoor or outdoor). Unauthorised overnight activities will be considered trespassing and addressed.”

With the updated regulations, the university has the authority to request identification from individuals at gatherings or demonstrations to verify their affiliation with the university. Should they not be Penn students, these non-students may face more restrictions in their freedom of expression on campus compared to Penn students.

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103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday

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103-year-old WWII veteran credits soda and dark chocolate for his longevity as he celebrates birthday


A Pennsylvania World War II veteran celebrated his 103 birthday earlier this month, calling it the greatest day of his life, while he shared the secret of his extraordinary longevity.

Frank Pugliano Sr., dressed in his WWII veteran jacket and hat, enjoyed the birthday festivities along with his family and friends at Boyce Park, outside of Pittsburgh, PA. last weekend where tables were decorated with tiny American flags.

“The greatest day of my life,” he told WTAE. “I never thought I’d be here at 103, going from what I went through. You never know. A lot of my friends never made it, but I made it.”

Pugliano credits Coca-Cola and dark chocolate as the reason he made it to 103, he told the outlet.

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World War II Army veteran, Frank Puggliano Sr. celebrated his 103rd birthday earlier this month. Facebook

The Italian-born soldier immigrated to the US when he was only 6 years old and graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1942, according to the Tribune-Review.

Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater, where he survived a Japanese torpedo attack while he was deployed on a convoy mission to Luzon in the Philippines.

He says he saw a lot of young men lose their lives during the attack.

Pugliano was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.

Pugliano attended his birthday party at Boyce Park outside of Pittsburgh last weekend. Facebook
A birthday cake decorated “Happy 103rd Birthday Frank” was waiting for Pugliano at the party. Facebook

Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011.

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He became a diesel mechanic after his military service, specializing in heavy equipment.

At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits.

“The doctor told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing, do it,’” Pugliano told the newspaper, boasting about his excellent health except for bad knees.

“His health is remarkable and he doesn’t look his age. His frame of mind, everything … it’s absolutely incredible,” Pugliano’s son, Frank Pugliano Jr. said at his father’s 100th birthday.

The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active.

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The Greatest Generation member still keeps up with the times, using his iPad daily and running his own Facebook account.

“That’s how I keep in touch with my relatives,” Pugliano said.

At the time of his centennial milestone, Pugliano credited “good Italian genes” and staying active as the reason he reached triple digits. Facebook
The 103-year-old says he cuts his grass and maintains his home to keep active. Facebook

He most recently worked at a 55-and-over residential community, maintaining the clubhouse until he was 98 years old.

Pugliano said his favorite dishes include three eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and coffee at Kings Family Restaurant and pasta fagioli at his favorite restaurant, The Olive Garden, according to the Tribune.

In March, Vincent Dransfield, a former New Jersey volunteer fire chief and great-grandfather of seven turned 110.

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Pugliano enlisted in the US Army and served for three years in the Pacific theater until he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Following his return home, Pugliano married his high school sweetheart, Mary Strough, and the couple were married for 65 years until she died in 2011. Facebook

Dransfield is one of the few men in the group of 110-plus-year-olds and has lived a healthy life all those years with just some knee pain to complain about, according to “Today.”

He lives alone with no home aide or extra help, cooks simple food for himself, walks up and down his three-level house and drives “pretty good” daily with no issues.



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