A state report says video shows five staff members at a Gordon assisted-living home beating and abusing patients.
The report accuses five other staff members at Total Care Personal Care of neglect, because they witnessed patients being abused or saw injuries and failed to report them.
Seven people now face criminal charges in connection with the case and have been fired, the report says.
The abuse allegedly happened in November, the report says, and the employees were charged later that month.
The home on Shinholster Road in Gordon is now closed, owner Pamela Reaves said Friday afternoon. She said she was in a meeting and that she would discuss the matter later in the day.
A report obtained from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Heath and Developmental Disabilities says a staff member at the Total Care Personal Care Home used a belt to whip a patient at least 18 times.
Patients were punched in the face; others were reported with blacken eyes and broken arms.
The report has interviews from patients with visible bruising and welts. One patient had red marks on her nose, bruising on her back, and red marks on her arm, elbow and shoulders.
There are also allegations of a staff member engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient.
The investigation started in November, when 13WMAZ first covered this story, and was completed Jan. 7.
Total Care has been owned by Reaves since 2007.
The home provides community living support and nursing care to about 16 patients.
People living in that center have behavioral issues: hitting, kicking, spitting. Some require 24/7 living-assistance.
"Individuals are provided with services, supports, care and treatment by who are properly licensed, credentialed, trained, and who are competent."
Staff members are to provide one-on-one care.
Video evidence show staff members conducting abuse:
- Owens Pearson slapped a patient in the face and "hit him repeatedly with a closed hand."
- Shakia Smith slapped a patient in the face and "hit him repeatedly with a belt" about 18 times throughout the day.
- Amber Coverson hit a patient on the back of the head.
- Audrey Ray attempted to kick a patient.
- Rodrekais Mosley picked up a patient and "pushed him over a desk."
Those five are also included in neglect charges, along with five others:
- Shamiria Bivins
- Taketia Kline
- Latroy Coats
- Jaderemy Robinson
- Joe Thomas
Those staff members all reported witnessing abuse but did not stop or report it, the report says.
On Jan. 10, 2014 the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) terminated its agreement with Total Care to provide disability services, such as medicine, to funded patients.
DBHDD also suspended Total Care from taking in more patients.
The organization began re-locating patients from Total Care to other assisted-living homes on Dec 2, 2013.
DBHDD also recommended that Total Care be terminated as a Medicaid provider of developmental disability services and NOW waiver services.
Check back with 13WMAZ.com for updates on this story today.
