The state is investigating “major violations” of alleged patient neglect and understaffing at an Orange County nursing home.  

The violations at Sapphire Nursing Home come after numerous complaints and inspectors inside the facility for more than a week.

Russell Kennedy says his 90-year-old mother is confined to a wheelchair and can barely hear, relying on staff at the Goshen nursing home to perform simple tasks like getting out of bed and putting in her hearing aid. He says they ring the bell for help and people don't come because they just don't have the staff to handle it.

The facility reportedly lost half its staff due to cuts and layoffs after it was bought out last year. Since then, the state has cited the new owners for seven violations after families like Kennedy came forward with allegations of patient neglect, improper care and understaffing.

"The aides actually say to her - we don't have enough staff to take you out,” says Kennedy.

The facility has until the end of the week to submit a plan to fix the problems.

Until then, a spokesperson issued a statement saying, “Sapphire Nursing and Rehab at Goshen takes any deficiencies by the Department of Health very seriously and it is essential for us to take corrective actions."

A Sapphire spokesperson says they held a job fair earlier this month and are actively looking to fill more than two dozen jobs. In the meantime, they are using per-diem staff to help fill in the gaps.

Sapphire Nursing Home has until Feb. 23 to submit its corrective plan of action in writing to the state Department of Health.