Charges filed in killing by porridge

As a resident assistant at a Montgomery County nursing home, Alvador Thompson was charged with nourishing patients' bodies. Now, she faces charges in a patient's death.

Thompson, 55, is accused of force-feeding hot Cream of Wheat cereal to patient Ronald Myers at the Cambridge-Brightfield Assisted Living Facility in Lansdale in October.

The resulting burns on his lips, tongue and mouth put Myers, 79, in the hospital for three days, prosecutors said.

After he was released, he never ate again and he died two weeks later.

Thompson, of Hatfield, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, neglect of a care-dependant person and related offenses in December, not only for the force-feeding but also for failing to immediately seek medical attention for Myers after the incident, according to prosecutors.

Thompson, who is no longer employed at the facility, waived her preliminary hearing Tuesday and remains free on $5,000 unsecured bail.*