UPDATED Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 -- 5:00 p.m.

By NBC15's Dana Brueck

"They basically rely on the caregivers for all of their daily needs, 24/7."

Some of society's most vulnerable -- victimized. A former nursing home worker stands accused of elder abuse!

The investigation has shaken a Columbus nursing home -- A woman entrusted with caring for elderly residents is accused of abusing them.

"This is extremely troubling because the victims themselves can't speak out. It was brought to our attention by other parties," Lt. Dennis Weiner with Columbus Police says.

Police say Columbus Nursing and Rehab Center contacted them in late August, when staff raised concerns.

"It takes on more weight, from an investigative standpoint when you hear similar allegations from multiple employees on separate occasions, separate dates," Weiner says.

The accused -- 40-year-old Lori Nussbaum, of Beaver Dam... a CNA
who had worked at the facility for about 6 months.

The home's administrator says she was hired with work experience at another nursing home and had no criminal record.

Columbus Police arrested Nussbaum this week at her home.

"Very cooperative, very reserved.. vehemently denies everything I asked her about."

Lt. Dennis Weiner says Nussbaum's co-workers recounted the instances of abuse.

Nussbaum's accused of placing a pillow over a resident with dementia to quiet her down ... and pinching the nostrils of residents, cutting off their oxygen, to wake them up.

"It was two separate occasions she chuckled about it to co-workers ... It wasn't one incident where both employees were there so... obviously that's troubling someone would find humor in these kinds of acts."

Police say co-workers describe Nussbaum as having a short fuse.

The home's administrator says she was removed from the schedule immediately, and more recently, officially let go.

Nussbaum could make her initial appearance in court Thursday.

Wisconsin's Department of Health Services has completed its investigation, after the nursing home reported the situation.

It's unknown if the agency found any violations -- The report is expected to be released within days.

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Posted: Tuesday, September 7, 2010 --- 6:20p.m.

Release from Columbus Police Department:

Columbus Police arrested a 40 year old Beaver Dam woman at her residence this afternoon following a 2 week investigation into abuse allegations towards several residents of a Columbus nursing home.

The 40 year old woman was booked into the Columbia County Jail on 4 counts of Suffocation, and 4 counts of Recklessly Subjecting an individual at Risk to Abuse. Both crimes are felonies.

On August 23, 2010, the Columbus Police Department began an investigation after being contacted by administration from a nursing home regarding an August 21 incident. During the course of investigation, it was learned that this employee, a CNA on 4 occasions pinched the nostrils of sleeping residents together, cutting off their oxygen, as a method to wake them up. They were held closed anywhere from 2-10 seconds. She laughed about it to 2 co-workers. It was also discovered that she had placed a pillow over the face of a resident with severe dementia multiple times, to quiet her down. These residents range in age from 78-85 years of age. All have high need levels, little ability to communicate and other health issues.

During the course of interview other employees, another employee came forward, reporting observing similar behavior towards patients in mid-June.

The woman is no longer employed at the nursing home.