An employee at an assisted living facility in Lake Mary has been arrested on charges of elderly battery and neglect, according to Lake Mary police.

According to a witness at Spring Hills assisted living facility, employee Naqia Neal asked resident Jeanne Zak to move out of the way so she could clean the floor. Zak then got angry, calling Neal a racial slur. Then an altercation ensued, ending with Neal intentionally pushing the 85-year-old victim to the ground, causing Zak to hit her head on the floor. Neal then left the scene, the arrest report says.

The incident occurred Sunday evening. Neal was arrested on Tuesday.

Zak, who was diagnosed with dementia in March of 2024, could not recall the incident when questioned by authorities.

Zak's daughter, Donna Pappalardo, is looking to press

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