Disgusting Act of Abuse by Caregiver Recorded on Cellphone

Last month a disturbing cellphone video surfaced showing a group home caregiver physically abusing a mentally disabled resident in Connecticut. According to CNN, the video, which was sent anonymously to the operators of the group home, shows the care taker kicking the woman in the gut, whipping her with a belt, and dragging her across the floor by the hair.  Angelica Rivera, 33, admitted to police she was the caregiver depicted in the video abusing the resident, who functions at the level of a fourth grader. 

Rivera was arrested on July 11^th and charged with cruelty to persons, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault, disorderly contact and third-degree abuse. Previously, Rivera had been disciplined twice for failing to report neglect or abuse. 

This is yet another reminder of the how vulnerable the elderly and disabled population are. Although this was rare instance where the incident was caught on tape, residents of nursing homes and patients that receive in-home care are commonly victims of physical abuse at the hands of those caregivers that are suppose to protect them.

Keating Law Offices fights to protect the rights of nursing home residents who have been victimized by their caregivers. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, please contact Illinois Nursing Home Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@KeatingLegal.com. All initial consultations are confidential and free.