Three charged after investigation into alleged elder abuse
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) —Three southeast Missouri women are facing felony harassment charges following an investigation into alleged mistreatment of elderly residents at a care facility in Cape Girardeau County.
According to online court records, Jersey Stratman, 23; Jacquilynne Doyle, 23; and Martez Johnson, 48, are each charged with one count of felony harassment. The allegations stem from incidents that occurred between July 13, 2023, and Feb. 19, 2024.
According to a probable cause statement, investigators first learned of the alleged abuse on Nov. 5, 2025, after receiving a report concerning a resident who has since passed away but was alive at the time of the incidents. The complainant said new videos had surfaced showing staff members abusing the resident and others.
A state investigation had already been initiated in February 2024, during which multiple administrators and staff members of the facility were interviewed. Four employees were identified as potential perpetrators, including Stratman.
Initial intake notes dated July 24, 2025, stated that facility administration had turned over videos showing staff:
- Spraying a sleeping resident with a water bottle
- Banging on a resident’s window at night
- Removing blankets and covers from a sleeping resident
- Laughing while recording the incidents
- Admissions from a Suspect
On Aug. 21, 2025, investigators interviewed Jersey Stratman. During the interview, Stratman admitted to:
- Spraying a resident with a water bottle
- Removing blankets from a resident while the person was asleep
- Tapping a flashlight on a resident’s window while siren sounds played
Stratman told investigators she knew the resident had dementia and acknowledged the behavior was wrong, stating she did not know why she and the others participated. She estimated that these actions occurred three or four times.
She denied intentionally spraying the resident in one of the videos but confirmed she handed the water bottle to another staff member. A background check showed no prior criminal history for Stratman.
Stratman, Doyle and Johnson were arrested on Nov. 19 and later released on bond. Stratman and Johnson are scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning. As of Thursday, a court date for Doyle had not been set.
The Jackson Police Department is leading the investigation, which remains open.
