A woman who had been caring for a man with developmental disabilities told deputies she could no longer keep him in her home after an alleged assault left her bleeding.
The case highlights a difficult situation some families face when a person who needs ongoing support also becomes physically aggressive: the caregiver may need protection, while the person receiving care may need a safe place to go.
Deputies responding to a domestic incident found the woman in her living room, screaming for them to get the man out of the house. An officer reported seeing blood running down her arm and other visible injuries.
The deputy said he was familiar with both individuals from previous domestic-related calls and knew the man had developmental disabilities.
Deputy Says Man Resisted Arrest
The woman had told 911 that the man struck her. Based on that report and her visible injuries, the deputy attempted to place him in handcuffs.
According to the deputy, the man resisted, tried to grab the woman’s cane and attempted to kick the officer.
The deputy drew his Taser in an effort to gain compliance. He reported that the man briefly calmed down, allowing him to put the Taser away and secure the man in handcuffs without firing it.
After the man was placed in a patrol vehicle, the woman told deputies he had struck and kicked her, thrown objects at her and destroyed her cellphone.
She said the behavior had continued over the previous two days and that she was exhausted by the repeated incidents.
She told deputies she could no longer care for him and asked about obtaining a protection order.
The deputy photographed her injuries, including a wound on her left arm that was still bleeding.
What Happens When a Caregiver Can No Longer Keep Someone Safe?
The deputy’s report describes two immediate concerns: protecting the woman from further harm and determining where the man can safely live after his release from jail.
The deputy said he contacted the county Board of Developmental Disabilities about possible placement for the man. The report will also be forwarded to Adult Protective Services for follow-up.
Caring for someone with developmental disabilities can involve substantial day-to-day responsibilities, particularly when the person needs help managing behavior or communicating distress. A developmental disability does not, by itself, mean someone is violent, and the report does not establish what caused the man’s behavior in this incident.
But when physical aggression does occur, family caregivers may be unable to manage the danger on their own. The person receiving care may need additional behavioral support, a different living arrangement or both.
In this case, the woman told deputies she had reached that point. The report does not say whether a new placement has been arranged or what charges, if any, the man will face.
Based on the circumstances of the incident and Janet’ s status as a protected party, the investigation resulted in a felony—level assault charge.