Parents sue caregivers caught abusing of 31-year-old autistic son on hidden cameras
Kathy Coleman had hired Jay Nolan Community Services to provide in-home care for her son, Cameron.
Cameron has the mental capacity of a 3-year-old and a form of nonverbal autism, his family said.
Kathy Coleman, Cameron’s mom, said she and her husband found it more difficult to care for their son as they’ve grown older.
But once in the care of professionals, she said, she never expected to find bruises on his body.
She installed hidden cameras in the home, and was horrified to see what was going on when the caretakers were alone with Cameron.
After discovering what was happening to him when he was alone with the caregivers, Coleman is now suing the California-based company.
Hidden cameras purportedly captured the disturbing abuse as his caregivers beat him, spat on him and menaced him with a chain and pellet gun.
Armed with the footage, the parents of 31-year-old Cameron Coleman have filed a civil suit against Jay Nolan Community Services and the staff involved.
Coleman said that when she complained to management, staff in her son’s home began looking for the cameras.
Ultimately, two workers were let go — one of them, Oscar Espinosa, was arrested in connection with the alleged abuse, according to KCBS-TV. The other worker is also expected to be charged.
Jay Nolan Community Services said in a statement that it vets each employee and trains them before placing them with a client.
“We understand that incidents are being reported that certain conduct fell below the high standards we hold,” the Mission Hills-based not-for-profit said. “Any such claim is taken very seriously ... and this reported conduct was immediately communicated to adult protective service and the police.”
Devastated by the hidden-camera footage, Coleman has brought her son back home with her and her husband.
- NYDailyNews
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