Hospital workers fired in patient death

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Thirteen employees at a North Carolina psychiatric hospital have been disciplined -- three of them were fired -- for the death of a patient.

The other employees received penalties ranging from written warnings to four- and five-day suspensions, authorities said Wednesday. The state Department of Health and Human Services issued a written statement about the penalties, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.

Steven Sabock, 50, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, hit his head after he choked on medication in April at Cherry Hill Hospital in Goldsboro. Footage from a security camera, released this week, shows employees playing cards and socializing while Sabock was left untended in a chair.

Susan Sabock of Winchester, Va., said that after watching the video she realized the neglect of her husband was only investigated because he died.

"It's very hard for me to watch, but of what I've seen, it's the most disgusting thing I can imagine," she said. "It's like we're in a bad dream and we just can't get up. How is this hospital still open? I just don't understand."