Two group home workers in Hamden are accused of hitting a patient with disabilities with a mop handle, police said.
The director of resident services for Arc of Meriden and Wallingford reported suspicious injuries on a 19-year-old patient that may have been inflicted by two staff members on Jan. 12, according to Hamden Police.
Video footage from the group home shows two "direct support staff members", Victoria Dancy, 50, and Melissa Smith, 41, attempting to restrain the victim. The video then shows Dancy and Smith hitting the victim with a broom and mop handle, the police investigation revealed.
Later, the video shows the victim lying on her back while Dancy chokes her. After, Dancy is seen striking the victim with the mop handle again, while the victim lays on the floor, Hamden Police said.
When the victim's mother noticed the bruises, she contacted the Department of Developmental Services.
Dancy and Smith were arrested on April 6 and 7, respectively.
Dancy, of New Haven, was charged with cruelty to persons, assault of a disabled person, strangulation in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree and disorderly conduct. Dancy, who was released after posting bond, is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on April 20.
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Smith, of Stratford, was charged with cruelty to persons, assault of a disabled person, reckless endangerment in the second degree and disorderly sonduct. Smith, who was detained on a $25,000.00 bond, is scheduled to appear in court in Meriden on April 20.
Pamela Fields, Executive Director of Arc of Meriden Wallingford, Inc., released the following statement on the situation:
"We are shocked and angry that this has happened. Arc of Meriden-Wallingford, Inc. has been in business for 65 years and we have never had such a horrific incident in our agency. We are a member agency of families and safety is our top priority. We self-reported our concerns to the proper authorities as soon as we became aware of this incident. We are cooperating with the authorities to bring those involved to justice. We are also doing everything in our power to assure something like this never happens again. Our hearts and prayers are with this young woman and her family."
