Two Arrested, Third Sought in February Nursing Home Death

Two people have been placed under arrest in connection with the death of a nursing home patient earlier this year.

KAMC 28 is reporting that 44 year old John Kirksey and 51 year old Maria Briones have been charged with injury to the elderly in connection with 71 year old Willie Byers, who died of hypothermia February 3^rd.

Byers was found dead outside the Tumbleweed Nursing Home after spending four hours in single digit temperatures. security footage showes Byers wandering out of the home's doors, slipping and falling on the ice, and knocking himself unconcious. He suffered from both dementia and alzhimers.

Briones bonded out of jail, and Kirksey remains in the Lubbock County Jail under $10,000 bond. Terry County Officials say they are still seeking a third suspect who was indicted Monday.They all three face third-degree felonies.

Briones has worked at the home for twenty years and is a licensed vocational nurse. She was back to work today after bonding out of jail, . Kirksey is no longer employed with the home.