by: Matt Christy
INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis caretaker is under arrest after coworkers accused him of beating an autistic, non-verbal man with a flashlight.
Williams Brooks Jr., 85, is charged with one count of battery resulting in bodily injury to a disabled person, a Level 5 felony.
According to court documents, Greenwood police were notified of the abuse on July 5 by employees of Community Integration Support Services. The coworkers reportedly filmed part of the abuse.
A police officer reported viewing the footage and said it showed Brooks striking the victim with a closed fist multiple times in the chest and abdomen area.
The witnesses said the abuse continued beyond what was shown in the video and included Brooks striking the victim with a flashlight. Photographs of the victim’s injuries were shown to police and included the victim having several bloody cuts on his lips.
Police spoke to Brooks who reportedly denied striking the victim. He claimed he sometimes had to “push” the victim in order to make him lie down. He also claimed he put a flashlight to the victim’s head “to let him feel the flashlight,” but denied hitting the victim with it.
Brooks was taken into custody and transported to the Johnson County Jail.
If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison.
Community Integration Support Services said Brooks was terminated the same day his co-workers reported his abuse. The company and its employees are cooperating with police investigators and providing support services to the victim, his family and staff members.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed to receive a report of abuse against a consumer of our services. The safety and wellbeing of those in our care is our highest priority. Community Integration Support Services have a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of abuse or mistreatment.
Steven Phillips, owner/president of Community Integration Support Services
Community Integration Support Services said it will conduct an internal review of policies, procedures and staff training to determine how this incident occurred and to prevent any other incidents like this from happening again.
“We extend our sincerest apologies to the victim, the family, our staff
and our community. We understand the trust placed in us and take our
responsibility extremely seriously. We are dedicated to regaining that
trust through our actions going forward,” Phillips said.
Full Article & Source:
Court docs: Indy caretaker beat disabled man with flashlight
No comments:
Post a Comment