L.I. Hospital Worker Charged After Allegedly Attacking 6-Year-Old Patient
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Shocking allegations have been levied against a hospital worker on Long Island.
The 45-year-old man is accused of forcibly restraining a 6-year-old boy, leaving abrasions on his neck. The child was allegedly attacked at the hospital. CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan spoke with him Wednesday.
"He choked me here, and he put his hand here on my face and neck, then he put his other hand like this. I kicked him, and then he went like this," "Nicholas" said, demonstrating.
The boy's mother snapped photos of abrasions to her son's throat, swelling to the eye and scratches to his cheek, following an altercation between the 6-year-old and the middle-aged hospital worker assigned to the child's care. Police said the caregiver put one hand to the boy's throat, the other on his lower body to force him down on his bed.
The little boy's mother said she wasn't informed of the incident until the next day.
"I was furious," "Angela" told McLogan.
The suspect, Azoumana Ouattara, has been a licensed patient care assistant for five years at Nassau University Medical Center and is supported by his union.
On Wednesday, Ouattara's hands, allegedly used to choke the 6-year-old, were handcuffed behind him as he was led to court. He claimed he had to restrain the boy for the child's own well-being and that the first grader, who suffers from ADHD, had a tantrum, was acting out, screaming and becoming belligerent.
But following extensive interviews, investigators determined Ouattara lost his temper and committed assault when the child kicked and used offensive language.
"Mr. Ouattara used unnecessary force and had choked the young boy to cause significant abrasions to his neck. He is being charged with felony assault, strangulation, as well as endangering the welfare of a child," Nassau County Police Detective. Lt. Raymond Cote said.
Nicholas spent four days at the hospital and his now back at home with his memories.
"I was crying for mommy," he told McLogan.
"We filed a notice of claim against Nassau University because it is our intention to sue them for allowing something of this egregious nature to occur to a little boy," attorney Kenneth Mollins said.
Ironically, suspect Ouattara's arraignment was put on hold. Just before approaching the bench he complained of feeling sick, was taken by ambulance to Nassau University to be checked out at the very hospital where he allegedly assaulted the child.
Ouattara maintained his innocence and is being held on $10,000 bond. The hospital and his union are also conducting investigations.
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