Home health care nurse pleads not guilty to abusing 6-year-old boy with special needs

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A home health care nurse accused of abusing a 6-year-old boy with special needs in an incident captured on home surveillance video in Penfield last year faced a judge Friday.

Almost one year ago, a man came to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office substation on Panorama Trail in Pittsford to report the abuse of his 6-year-old child at the hands of a home health care nurse.

BACKGROUND: Home health care nurse from Webster accused of abusing 6-year-old boy with special needs

Nicole Guilds, now, 31, is accused of physically and verbally abusing the boy, who was in her care. According to the New York State Education Department Office of Professions, Guilds’ registered professional nursing license is currently suspended.

She and her attorney, Joe Damelio, entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment Friday in Monroe County Court.

“Well, certainly the allegations are troubling, and they are something my client denies,” Damelio said. “She welcomes this case because she wants to clear her name and her profession, and that is our plan. She intends on fighting these charges.”

The indictment charges Guilds with endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. According to court paperwork, the victim is nonverbal and has health issues including cerebral palsy and chronic respiratory failure.

Guilds was hired in January 2023 to help care for him.

The boy’s parents fired Guilds in November after seeing her become increasingly frustrated with their son, according to court paperwork. The couple realized the alleged abuse was caught on home surveillance video.

The felony complaint said Guilds once covered the boy’s face with her body to hold in place while yelling at him and later slammed his head into a chair while putting his trach back in. Another time, Guilds allegedly slapped the boy several times with a diaper because he wouldn’t stop crying.

“She is troubled by the fact that she has been accused of this, that’s one thing,” Damelio said. “Another thing is that she wants to clear her name, and she’s prepared to go to trial on this matter.”

The prosecutor on the case was not available for comment. Guilds was issued an order of protection during Friday’s arraignment.

Guilds worked with several other special needs children, according to the sheriff’s office. If you or someone you know has a child you believe may be a victim, you’re asked to call 911.

A representative from Rochester Regional Health told 13WHAM Guilds worked as a registered nurse at Unity Hospital from 2014 to 2020, but “at no time during her employment with RRH were we informed of any concern for patient safety.”

Guilds’ next court date is scheduled for Jan. 24.