Children’s Home Worker Fired After Video Shows Slap to Nonverbal Resident

A staff member at a children’s residential facility was fired after surveillance video allegedly showed her slapping a nonverbal resident in the face during a disturbing confrontation involving feces, according to reports provided to law enforcement. The incident occurred at NECCO, a residential children’s home, and was later reported to Lawrence County authorities after staff reviewed security footage and notified the child’s home county. According to NECCO’s internal incident report, the trouble began during the morning of August 11. Staff initially reported that a resident had smeared feces on an employee. The employee then reportedly shut the bedroom door while waiting for another staff member to assist. At first, the incident apparently resulted in plans for additional training regarding proper behavior management. But the story changed after additional information surfaced. The following day, staff learned that the employee had allegedly held the bedroom door shut for several minutes while the resident and another child were inside. That prompted management to review surveillance footage. According to the report, the video showed the employee holding the bedroom door closed while waiting for assistance. Then came the most serious allegation. NECCO reported that after the resident smeared feces into the staff member’s face and mouth, the employee reacted by striking the child on the right side of the face with an open hand. The child was evaluated by the facility’s medical staff. The employee was subsequently terminated from employment, according to the incident report. Child Unable to Tell Investigators What Happened The case is especially concerning because the resident is nonverbal. A child protective services worker from the county responsible for the child later met with him along with his adoption caseworker. According to the CPS notes, the child did not have his usual communication device with him during the meeting and did not verbally or nonverbally respond to general questions. However, the worker documented a noticeable reaction when the conversation turned to the alleged incident. The child reportedly became tense, appeared afraid, and began pulling at the arms, legs and tail of a stuffed animal he had been given. When asked whether the staff member had touched him, the child reportedly covered his cheek with the stuffed animal and remained that way for approximately a minute. The CPS worker said the child then became increasingly restless and appeared fearful, prompting the worker to stop asking questions out of concern for his well-being. A photograph provided to investigators reportedly showed a red mark on the child’s face. The surveillance video was also turned over as evidence. Behavior Reportedly Changed After Incident Caregivers told CPS that the resident appeared more agitated and aggressive after the incident. According to the notes, he had begun putting his arms around his head during even simple redirection. Staff said they were unsure whether he was acting aggressively or attempting to shield his face. The child was also described as shaking and appearing fearful while traveling to the meeting with investigators. The report noted that he continued to interact well with other female staff members and had historically formed some of his most meaningful relationships with female caregivers. CPS workers also noted that they were not aware of any similar previous incident involving the child. The case was documented by law enforcement, and both the NECCO surveillance footage and child welfare records were provided for review. No criminal charge or arrest was noted in the report provided.

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