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Man Charged With Shoving, Injuring Grandmother In Laundry Dispute

CARROLL TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A Washington County man is facing charges for allegedly shoving and injuring his grandmother in a dispute over laundry.

Carroll Township Police say 34-year-old Richard Burella Jr. had lived with his 82-year-old grandmother, Helene Vayansky, for about three years and there have been problems at the house before.

"We have been at the house several times in the past few years for disturbances involving [him] and the complainant was the grandmother," said Carroll Township Police Chief Paul Brand. "There was aggression on his part during those calls directed towards her."

But police say what happened this time was the worst situation so far. The grandmother told police Burella became angry after an argument over the laundry.

"Richard Burella had pushed his grandmother in the kitchen of her home, causing her to fall backwards and injure herself," Chief Brand said.

Vayansky suffered a broken hip, and she told police that Burella refused to call for help as she lay on the floor in pain.

"She said she believed it happened at 8:30 in the morning, and she laid on the floor for approximately an hour and a half with him sitting nearby in her wheelchair," said Chief Brand. "She was asking for help, but he was claiming to her that she was faking her injury."

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Vayansky was finally transported to Mon Valley Hospital where she underwent hip surgery and where she continues to recover.

Burella is in the Washington County Jail on $50,000 cash bond.

KDKA's Brenda Waters: "Is he going back to live with her when he gets out of jail?"

Chief Brand: "I certainly hope not. From talking to family, I believe they've got a plan in place to keep him away from her."

Burella is facing a list of charges, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and harassment.

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