Benton County nursing assistant accused of unprofessional conduct

A Benton County certified nursing assistant faces unprofessional conduct charges from the state Department of Health over interactions with an 80-year-old patient.

Charges from the health department are non-criminal.

Leeia L. Henderson, also known as Vicki L. Reece, provided in-home care to an 80-year-old man, health department documents said.

She allegedly accepted $1,000 from the patient, after telling him and his wife of her financial difficulties, the health department said. Her employer paid the money back.

The man also pursued a romantic relationship with her, and she didn’t establish professional boundaries, going with him to rent an apartment and helping him buy furniture, the state alleged.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 6:09 PM with the headline "Benton County nursing assistant accused of unprofessional conduct."