Universal Health Services: Psychiatric Institute of Washington Employees Charged with Criminal Negligence in Patient's Death

April 9, 2026

Three former employees of the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) have been indicted on criminal charges related to the 2020 death of a patient at the long-troubled facility, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Wednesday.

A grand jury indictment charged 37-year-old Nelson Kuma, a former PIW tech, 45-year-old Richard Hounnou, a former PIW tech, and 68-year-old Norma Munoz-Bent, a registered nurse, with one count each of criminal negligence. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison. All three have pleaded not guilty, according to Pirro.

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