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DaVita Lufkin re-opens; victim's family protests

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By Tamara Jolee

ANGELINA COUNTY - Lufkin is a city surrounded by lush, green trees and rolling hills.

It's where rural America collides with city life along highway 69.

It's also a place where dark secrets of alleged injuries and murders of patients - recently emerged.

"It seems like Lufkin would take a stand and say 'Davita, get out of town!" one protester said.

Twenty-feet from where a company spokesperson called a news conference Wednesday, announcing the facility re-opened its doors, the family of Thelma Metcalf, a DaVita patient that died April 1, stood roadside and protested.

"I want no one to forget those four that actually died here and the 15-20 that were affected in the month of April," said Metcalf's daughter.

DaVita Lufkin closed in April - after an usual increase of deaths and life-threatening injuries occurred at the center, prompting an investigation by state health officials and Lufkin Police.

In early May - former DaVita nurse Kimberly Clark Saenz was charged with intentionally injecting bleach into patients

DaVita says they believe Saenz was responsible for the death of at least four patients.

"The Lufkin Police continue to investigate (Saenz) and we expect them to have more information in the future," DaVita spokesperson Michael Chee said.

Metcalf's daughter, whose a nurse, says the victims' families demand justice.

"I would like to see her put in jail," said Metcalf's daughter, Wanda Hollingsworth.

And answers from DaVita.

"We thought we were leaving her in good hands," she said.

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