The family of a veteran says that the state Ombudsman’s Office is looking into their claim that the New Jersey Veterans Home at Menlo Park neglected their loved one.

Kane In Your Corner first investigated the facility in 2020 when a COVID-19 outbreak killed more than 100 residents.

Now the family of one current resident says that their loved one was hospitalized for dehydration three times because the staff didn’t give him water.

“My husband wants water. When he gets it, he’s so happy. It’s like you’re giving him $1 million, and it’s simple water. A simple drink of water. Its awful, it really is,” says Paula Criscuolo.

The Criscuolo family says that the New Jersey Ombudsman’s Office says they believe this was neglect and that they have referred the information to the state Health Department.

Kane In Your Corner asked the ombudsman’s office for comment on the situation but did not hear back.

The Murphy administration says that it will take bids from private companies to fix the problems at New Jersey’s veterans homes.