BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) – The last of five former workers charged in an abuse investigation at the Beatrice State Development Center has pleaded not guilty.
30-year-old Matthew Pangborn, of Beatrice, pleaded not guilty to 11 charges on Wednesday in Gage County District Court. Pangborn is charged with six counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult and five counts of strangulation.
A judge set a status hearing for Feb. 29.
The other defendants in the case – Cody Creek, Carmen Yates, Matthew Johnson and Cameron Barnes – also have pleaded not guilty.
The five were fired and charged after a report said at least seven residents were routinely slapped, shoved, pinched, punched and choked, often until they fell unconscious.