Story by Ethan
On September 16th, 2025, the arrest of Lisa L. Erikson and Joshua Benner, ages 56 and 34, was announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. Lisa L. Erikson was charged with second and third-degree Aggravated Assault, third-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, third-degree Neglect of an Elderly or Disabled Adult, and fourth-degree Assault on an Institutionalized Elderly Person. Joshua Benner was charged with third-degree Neglect of an Elderly of Disabled Adult from the same incident. The arrest and charges against Lisa L. Erikson and Joshua Benner were a result of an investigation handled by [Officers/Detectives].
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Lisa L. Erikson is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who was formerly employed at Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Whiting, New Jersey. On March 19th, 2019, the victim allegedly engaged in dangerous and disruptive behavior by ripping out a computer mouse and phone by their cords. At approximately 8:00 p.m., the victim allegedly hit a nursing cart and walked down the hallway while still holding on to the computer mouse and phone. Lisa L. Erikson then allegedly approached the victim and sprayed him with her personal oleoresin capsicum spray. The victim attempted to shield himself from the spray while ending up on the floor, the defendant allegedly continuing to spray him until she left him unattended on the ground. The victim was left alone for several minutes before he crawled to another resident’s room. It is alleged that both Lisa L. Erikson and Joshua Benner forcibly removed the victim from the resident’s room back to his own room. The victim was left alone in his room without any medical aid until police and emergency services arrived at approximately 8:53 p.m.. After law enforcement arrived the victim was treated and transported to a local hospital.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the charges against Lisa L. Erikson are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
