ELIZABETHTOWN — New York State Police charged Mary A. Longe, 80, of Elizabethtown with criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor, on Thursday.

Troopers responded to the Essex Center nursing home at 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday to investigate a harassment complaint. Longe, a patient, allegedly asked a nurse for a nebulizer treatment, but the nurse advised her it was not yet time for the treatment. Longe then allegedly asked for cough syrup instead, and the nurse stated she would have to check the time of the last cough syrup treatment. Longe then allegedly became irritated and wrapped the nebulizer cord around the nurse’s neck, obstructing her airway. The nurse was able to free herself, but Longe then allegedly shoved the nurse into a linen closet and started pulling her hair. Other staff members assisted the nurse in getting away from Longe. The nurse was evaluated at Elizabethtown Community Hospital but sustained no injuries.

Longe was transported to State Police High Peaks barracks for processing and was released on an appearance ticket returnable to Elizabethtown Town Court later this month.