Spokane nursing assistant, the victim of a brutal assault, now faces drug and exploitation charges

In early October, a 46-year-old nursing assistant was found brutally beaten outside a burning trailer in north Spokane. Now she faces charges of using methamphetamine and financially exploiting a patient in her care.

The state Department of Health suspended Susan Sebesta’s license after receiving a report in February accusing her of exploiting a patient. In April, her employer, Vesta Adult Family Homes in Spokane, reported that traces of meth showed up in a hair follicle screening.

Sebesta has been registered as a nursing assistant in Washington since 1997. Her son, Donny Sebesta, said he learned of the allegations after his mother was brutally assaulted.

He said she had worked as an in-home caretaker for an elderly man. Some of his valuables, such as silver, regularly turned up in her possession, Donny Sebesta said.

Susan Sebesta has been recovering from brain trauma since the night of Oct. 3, when she was found outside her trailer in the 3600 block of North Atlantic Street. She was bruised, bloodied and unconscious, and the trailer had been set ablaze.

Two hours later, police arrested her boyfriend, Carlos Lerma, 47, on suspicion of second-degree assault. He remains in the Spokane County Jail on a $45,000 bond. It’s not clear if he faces additional charges.

Donny Sebesta said his mother has been released from St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute and now lives with her sister.