ELLSWORTH – An Ellsworth man is accused of drinking alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day, then going to work to care for vulnerable patients.

Ronald Lee Rowland, 59, pleaded not guilty and posted a $10,000 signature bond Dec. 22 in Pierce County Circuit Court on one misdemeanor negligently abuse patients – no harm and three misdemeanor negligently abuse patients – no harm (increased penalty for elder person victim) charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.

According to the complaint:

Ellsworth police were dispatched to an adult group home at 11:56 p.m. March 17, 2025 in the 100 block of West Humble Street. The home is owned and operated by Brotoloc. The caller, a resident, stated that the caretaker for Brotoloc Willow View was drunk. The resident had fled the group home and gone to the high school parking lot to call police. He said around 11 p.m., Rowland arrived at work intoxicated. He described him as smelling like “a distillery.” He fell asleep in a recliner and was the only employee onsite. He was responsible for handing out medicine to the residents, who were in their rooms.

Police responded to the residence and found Rowland asleep in the recliner. When he woke up and came to the door, he was unsteady on his feet and hung onto things for balance. He had watery eyes and appeared dazed and confused. He also smelled of alcohol.

Rowland denied drinking any alcohol before coming to work. He agreed to take a breath test, which registered a BAC of .29. He claimed the alcohol smell was from sucking on candy canes. He finally admitted to having a few beers for St. Patrick’s Day around 2 p.m. at a downtown bar.

Police called the manager and informed her that Rowland couldn’t care for the residents in his condition. He was given a courtesy ride home. The manager said Rowland was responsible for providing medication to one resident at midnight, checking on two other residents every two hours, prompting another resident to go to the bathroom every two hours, providing all of the residents medications in the morning hours and cleaning the location as needed. The patients ranged in age from 38 to 71.

Rowland’s next court appearance is a status conference at 2:45 p.m. April 6.