Nurse Fends Off Bear With Walker In Wild Rice Krispie Standoff At Senior Living Home

A Pennsylvania nursing home had an unexpected, and wild, visitor earlier this week when a juvenile black bear broke through a window and entered the facility in search of food.

The chaotic bear encounter took place late Tuesday night, June 3, at Presbyterian Senior Living.

According to CBS News Pittsburgh, the bear made its way inside just after 11 p.m., leaving behind shattered glass and visible claw marks on window sills. But thanks to the bravery and quick thinking of the nursing staff, no residents were harmed during the ordeal.

“I grabbed a walker and was hitting him, trying to get him away from the residents,” Charlene Elliot, a nurse at the facility, told CBS News in an on-camera interview. “Cause my thought was he was going to... maul them or swipe, slap at them. That was my worst fear.”

Elliot said her priority was the safety of the elderly residents, and her instincts kicked in fast. She and her team eventually used Rice Krispies Treats to lure the roughly 150-pound cub away from the living area.

Their clever snack strategy worked. The bear was safely led outside and later humanely captured by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who relocated the animal to a more suitable location on Wednesday, June 4.

The Game Commission noted that while Pennsylvania is home to approximately 18,000 black bears, the majority tend to avoid human interaction. Most encounters stem from curiosity or the search for food rather than aggression. Still, officials urge residents to remove potential attractants, like bird feeders and unsecured trash, to reduce the chances of future incidents.

Elliot, reflecting on the experience, said she had no hesitation about putting herself on the line. “I feel I went above and beyond for my residents and that's the way I feel,” she said. “I would put my life on the line for them, and pretty much I did.”

Unsurprisingly, the story has gone viral on social media, with users cracking jokes and sharing lighthearted takes on the bear’s unexpected visit.

"Sometimes even bears can't resist a good Rice Krispies treat," one X user said.

"Most excitement that place has had EVER," another joked.

"Don't screw around with nursing homes," a third said.

"He messed with the wrong people!" someone else wrote.

In a statement following the incident, Presbyterian Senior Living praised their staff for handling the situation with courage and compassion.

“We are incredibly proud of our team's quick thinking and dedication to ensuring the safety of everyone in our community,” the organization said. “To prevent future wildlife encounters, the game warden safely relocated the bear to a more suitable habitat today and all bird feeders on our campus were removed.”

As news of the black bear breaking into a Pennsylvania nursing home spreads, social media users have continued to share their reactions, ranging from stunned disbelief to heartfelt relief.

“That’s crazy!” one commenter exclaimed, echoing the general shock many felt after learning that a 150-pound bear cub shattered a window and entered the facility late at night. Others were simply in awe of the bizarre headline.

“Omg wow,” a user wrote, while another added, “Just when you thought you’d seen it all.”

Many commenters also expressed gratitude toward the facility staff and wildlife officials who safely handled the situation. “Thanks for moving the bear cub to a safer environment! So glad that everyone at the nursing home is okay!” one person posted.

While the bear’s entrance may have sparked fear, others took a more sympathetic tone. “I don’t think the bear meant any harm. The bird feeders would attract the cub for sure!” another user pointed out, referencing the Game Commission’s explanation that most bears are curious rather than aggressive.

Thanks to the staff’s heroic efforts and a little help from some sweet treats, the late-night bear drama ended with everyone, human and bear, safe and sound.