A family of a mentally disabled man in Georgia has released a video showing their loved one being repeatedly beaten by staff hired to care for him.
Years ago, Joey Cason, 55, was to a Gordan facility licensed to care for the disabled.
“Physically, he is not disabled. He is able to function physically, but he is severely mentally disabled,” Brian Jarrad, the family’s attorney, told 11Alive.
A surveillance video recorded on Nov. 7, 2013, shows staff hitting Cason with belts, punching him on the ground, and letting other residents strike the vulnerable man.
At one point, staff appears to be taunting Cason with food and laughing at him.
The family wanted to release the video now, to warn the public that neglect is happening at facilities all across Georgia.
The video’s release comes on the heels of Georgia seeking to end nearly 10 years of federal supervision of its mental health care services.
“These are some of our most weakest, our most vulnerable citizens. So, it’s important to know and watch and to see when they’re not being cared for appropriately,” said Brian Jarrard.
Finally, the Gordon Police arrested a caretaker named Shakia Smith with battery and abuse/neglect of an elder person.
According to 11Alive, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities revoked the facility’s license following an investigation.
According to The National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately one in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse.
“Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities”, NCOA states on its website.
“I think anybody would find the video despicable,” said Jarrard.
“It was heartbreaking. It made me angry to think of individuals who were being paid to care for him were engaged in just despicable abuse.”
Thank god for cameras to catch these crazy people! But please don’t judge all health care workers by these horrible people.
Fortunately, Cason was moved to a different facility in Georgia and, according to Jarrard, he is doing well.
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