LINCOLNTON, N.C.—Two caregivers are accused of beating a disabled man with a metal broom handle.
News outlets report the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation found that the RHA Health Services group home workers beat a disabled man when they experienced difficulties getting the man to comply when getting off the group home’s van after returning from activity on Thursday, Feb. 28.
Sheriff: North Carolina caregivers hit disabled man with metal broom handle https://t.co/P4fMf5l70b pic.twitter.com/5FP0sKPF1F
— WLOS (@WLOS_13) March 6, 2019
Witnesses told detectives the women struck him several times about his body with a metal broom handle.
Authorities say the victim was hospitalized with several welts, bruises, and a large scrape to his knee from falling.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office News ReleaseTwo Women Arrested for Assaulting Handicapped Man March 5, 2019…
Posted by Crime Stoppers of Lincolnton – Lincoln County on Tuesday, 5 March 2019
RHA Health Services said the company has suspended 20-year-old Amaya Martin and 28-year-old Casandra Marie Miller.
Each is charged with one felony count of assault of an individual with a disability and one misdemeanor account of assault with a deadly weapon.
Reports didn’t include comment from them.
According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, “Abuse can happen to anyone—no matter the person’s age, sex, race, religion, or ethnic or cultural background. Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited.”
It added that most victims of elder abuse are women, but some are also men.
“Likely targets are older people who have no family or friends nearby and people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia. Abuse can happen to any older person, but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday life—including bathing, dressing, and taking medicine.
People who are frail may appear to be easy victims,” the agency says.
Contact these agencies for elder abuse:
Senior Justice Assessment Center: 713-363-2382
Adult Protective Services: 800-252-5400
Department on Aging: 800-458-9858
Texas Abuse Hotline: www.txabusehotline.org
