Articles
Federal Charges Allege Captors Held Adults with Disabilities in Subhuman Conditions to Carry out Social Security Fraud
First Hate Crimes Case of Its Kind in the Country Also Charges Murder
Linda Weston, her daughter and three co-defendants are charged in a 193-count indictment, unsealed today, with racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, hate crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, theft, fraud and other crimes. The indictment alleges that Weston and her associates carried out a racketeering enterprise that targeted victims with mental disabilities as part of a scheme to steal disability payments from the victims and the Social Security system. As part of the scheme, Weston persuaded each victim to make her the designated recipient of their Social Security disability payments in exchange for the promise of a comfortable place to live. Once appointed as the designated recipient of disability payments, Weston, aided by the co-defendants, subjected the victims to subhuman conditions of captivity.
K.C. Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Disabled Man's Murder
A teenager pleaded not guilty on Monday to killing a developmentally disabled man in September. Prosecutors say the suspect told a witness he robbed a man, then shot him when the man fought back. The victim, a 38-year-old man, had just earned $40 in cash working as a maintenance man. His family says that he had trouble reading and writing, but always managed to provide for himself. MISSOURI (Kansas City), Fox 4 KC, January 14, 2013
Caregiver Sent To Jail For Scalding Disabled Patient
A local caregiver is sentenced to more time behind bars for causing the burns suffered by a patient in his care. He was accused of putting a developmentally handicapped patient in a tub of scalding water and faces up to three years in prison. However, prior to sentencing the defense, as well as the victim's family, asked the judge to place him only on probation. A jury found the man guilty of one count of felonious assault as well as three counts of tampering with evidence. OHIO (Cincinnati), Local 12, January 9, 2013
Pastor Convicted of Raping Disabled Woman
A North Jackson pastor was convicted by a judge on Wednesday of raping a developmentally disabled 20-year-old woman in 2010 who was staying at the shelter he ran. He was convicted of rape and gross sexual imposition Wednesday on the third day of his bench trial. He faces a maximum of 16 years in prison. OHIO (Mahoning County), WKBN, January 9, 2013
6 arrested in disturbance involving mentally disabled adult
Six people were arrested today after a morning melee in which a mentally handicapped adult was chased down by two people and a pit bull and beaten with a cup and a belt. Deputies responded to the disturbance at about and learned that the victim had been abused by household members reportedly as punishment for stealing a cell phone, according to a news release from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. The victim was forced to run up and down the street and had also been hit in the face with a coffee cup, beaten on the back with a belt and pushed to the ground, the release states. FLORIDA (Escambia County), Pensacola News Journal, January 7, 2013
Woodbury Guardian Allegedly Allowed Disabled Teen to Engage in Prostitution
The guardian of a developmentally disabled woman has been charged with criminal neglect after she allegedly allowed the 19-year-old to engage in prostitution. The 19-year-old is now pregnant. MINNESOTA (Woodbury), Woodbury Patch, January 7, 2013
Man gets jail time for assaulting disabled woman
A judge sent a 54-year-old Lincoln man to jail Thursday for assaulting a developmentally disabled woman a year ago. The perpetrator, who was the 64-year-old woman's caretaker, slapped her and shoved her underwear in her face after she told him she had an accident at work and soiled herself. NEBRASKA (Lincoln), Journal Star, January 3, 2013
Utah woman gets prison term in death of disabled adult
A Kearns woman was sentenced Friday to five years to life in prison for ignoring abuse that eventually killed a mentally disabled woman living in her home. The 22-year-old victim was found dead on the floor of the family's home. She had bruises on her body, bandages wrapped tightly around her arms and fingers, and a pepper seed stuck under one eyelid. An autopsy found that the victim was severely dehydrated and had potentially fatal levels of Benadryl or a similar drug in her system. UTAH (Kearns), Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 2013
Lake Home for Disabled Settles Abuse Complaint by Agreeing to Changes
A Lake County home for developmentally disabled people agreed Thursday to videotape common rooms at its centers and make sure its employees obey the law and report abuse as soon as they witness it. --- Orlando Sentinel --- December 20, 2012 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/tg36PS
3 Fired from Indy Group Home After Locking out Resident
A home care services provider has fired three workers from an Indianapolis group home after police say they intentionally locked out a partially dressed developmentally disabled resident in the cold. --- WSBT-TV --- December 18, 2012 (INDIANA) http://is.gd/ByRIGL
Feds Warn School Over Shock Therapy
The school, which serves children with developmental disabilities as well as those with behavioral and emotional problems, has come under fire for years from disability advocates who say that using electric shocks to address behavior issues is inhumane. --- Disability Scoop --- December 20, 2012 (MASSACHUSETTS) http://is.gd/0vPEfZ
Eagan Woman Charged with Exploiting Vulnerable Adult
An Eagan woman who worked as a personal-care attendant for a vulnerable adult in Eagan has been charged with financially exploiting the woman. The suspect is charged with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. MINNESOTA (Eagan), Eagan Patch, December 21, 2012
NJ Man Arrested For Sexually Assaulting Mentally Disabled Woman
Camden County officials say a Cherry Hill, New Jersey man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman was arrested Friday. According to officials, the 53-year-old suspect was charged with first degree aggravated sexual assault and other related charges. NEW JERSEY (Cherry Hill), CBS Local, December 22, 2012
NY woman convicted of stealing from disabled
A woman who was an administrator for an agency that served disabled people has been convicted of stealing thousands of dollars from the agency's clients. The thefts occurred in 2008 and 2009. Between $4,000 and $6,000 was stolen from as many as 12 clients. The clients have been reimbursed by the agency. NEW YORK (Queensbury), Wall Street Journal, December 25, 2012
Wausau woman accused of stealing from disabled sister A Wausau woman is accused of stealing more than $38,000 from her disabled sister over a 10-year period to fund her gambling, smoking and drinking habits. She is charged with embezzlement, a felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. WISCONSIN (Wausau), Wausau Daily Herald, December 20, 2012
Report: Washington State ignoring abuse of people with developmental disabilities living in group homes
A Watchdog organization "Disability Rights Washington" says Washington State is failing to protect some of its most vulnerable people - those with developmental disabilities who live in group homes.
Investigators with the Mississippi Attorney General's office arrested two Hattiesburg residents Wednesday on charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and the misuse of more than $21,000. MISSISSIPPI (Hattiesburg), WLOX, December 19, 2012
Ala. Woman Sentenced in Rape of Disabled Woman
A judge has sentenced a 43 year old Elmore County woman to 10 years in prison for helping her husband rape a mentally disabled woman. The Montgomery Advertiser reports Sheila Sanders, of Wetumpka, received her sentence Wednesday morning ... --- WPMI Local 15 News --- December 13, 2012 (ALABAMA) http://is.gd/fSrsne
Ex-Boston Teacher's Aide Sentenced for Sexual Abuse
A former Boston teacher's aide has pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of two special needs students in different schools last year. The Suffolk district attorney's office said LaShawn Hill, 34, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count each of indecent ... --- Boston.com --- December 11, 2012 (MASSACHUSETTS) http://is.gd/57IE2D
Calif. threatens to shut down Sonoma disability center amid patient abuse
The state's largest board-and-care center for the severely disabled lost its primary license to operate today, after repeatedly exposing patients to abuse and shoddy medical care. State regulators cited the Sonoma Developmental Center, which houses...
