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Batavia Nursing Home employee jailed after allegedly making threats

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia Nursing Home employee who earlier today was reportedly the subject of a police response to the facility is in jail tonight, accused of threatening to shoot a supervisor.

Parris L. Bryant, 50, of 218 State St., Batavia, was charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and jailed on $1,000 bail.

According to Sgt. John Peck, Bryant was the suspect in a case earlier today involving an employee who showed up at the facility drunk and angry over not getting paid, as scheduled.

Police officers who responded to that call convinced Bryant to leave and go home.

According to Peck, Bryant didn't bother any of his coworkers again until about 5:30 p.m., at which time he allegedly initiated a series of calls to a nursing supervisor threatening to shoot her over the non-pay issue.

When police responded to his house, Peck said, there were no guns visible and it's not clear that Bryant actually has access to a gun.

However, because Bryant is still an employee of the nursing home, has access to the building, and was allegedly in a violent frame of mind, police officers were concerned for the safety of the staff, Peck said.

"He must have been stewing about it all day," Peck said.

Peck said nursing home staff told officers that Bryant made five or six calls this evening.

Additional previous articles:

Michele Case

Hey Howard, didn't you say, "Batavia police were called, but did not make an arrest, telling the obviously drunk older gentleman to move along."
Parris L. Bryant, 50, of 218 State St., Batavia, was charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd, and jailed on $1,000 bail.
Is 50 now old? Holy cow, now I am starting to feel old.

Jun 4, 2011, 2:09am Permalink
Chris Charvella

Anyone who still shows up for work over there should be nominated for sainthood.

Mr. Bryant didn't go about expressing his displeasure the right way, but I imagine if a person was really starting to wonder how he was going to buy groceries, pay the rent and keep the lights on, he may be prone to a bit of a freakout.

Jun 4, 2011, 11:49am Permalink
Billie Owens

Depends, Michele. Some people look rather elderly at 50, some pretty hot at 60. I guess it's your perspective. When you don't know you tend to rely on your senses at the scene.

Jun 4, 2011, 1:10pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Math is not my strongest subject, but I think I'm pretty correct in asserting that 50 is older than 20. I think it might even be older than 30.

Jun 4, 2011, 1:22pm Permalink
Jaime Caci

To Chris: I am very sure that if you were the one at the receiving end of the threat to be shot, you would consider it far more than "a bit of a freak out".

Jun 5, 2011, 8:58am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Apparently, Mr. Bryant had enough funds to purchase alcohol,which in a situation like this, only fuels the fire.Mixing alcohol in a volatile emotional situation can only lead to more problems. Think before you drink, you won't have the ability to think after consuming alcohol.

Jun 5, 2011, 9:04am Permalink
cindy Schwartz

when you work you expect to get paid...Second of all drinking only puts fuel on the fire... I see it like this if he would have gotten paid or have been able to cash his check, this wouldnt have happened. If you run a bussiness you cant just not pay your people or write them a check they cant cash. This companies owner has been in trouble for about 2 years now!! Because my daughter couldnt cash her check from there about 18 months ago. This owner also cut his employees health insurance to bearly anything!!! In todays economy this is unexceptable!!!! I hope this owner knows what he is doing and they get him good..

Jun 5, 2011, 4:25pm Permalink
Billie Owens

Chris, it could be worse. The guy could end up at the wrong end of a lawsuit because of this threat. You know, sort a like you did after your 'threat' by phoning Jay Grasso and thanking him for reading your blog.

Jun 5, 2011, 6:27pm Permalink

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