A 24-year-old Florida woman allegedly abused a nonverbal disabled patient she was supposed to be caring for, according to police.
Nia Ayers faces an aggravated abuse of the elderly or disabled charge after St. Cloud Police say she was caught abusing an 18-year-old patient on security cameras. The alleged abuse occurred in the girl's home.
The girl, who has a medical condition that leaves her mute and unable to defend herself, was found to have cuts and scrapes on her face, around her mouth, and on her eyelids by her mother. The mother then reviewed the security camera footage to see what had happened.
Police said that the footage showed Ayers repeatedly taping the victim's mouth shut and then ripping the tape off. Footage also showed Ayers holding a washcloth over the girl's mouth and shaking the girl's BiPAP breathing machine while it was connected to her nose.
The girl's mother called the police, who secured an arrest warrant for Ayers. Police said Ayers turned herself in on May 7.
"The victim in this case is completely unable to defend herself or cry out for help," said Chief of Police Douglas Goerke. "This is a truly heinous act, and we are concerned there may be other victims."
The St. Cloud Police Department is asking anyone with a family member who has been cared for by Ayers who would like to report suspicious or abusive acts to call (407) 891-6700 and request to speak with the Criminal Investigations Unit.
