Police: Worker At United Cerebral Palsy Center Taunted Blind Wheelchair-Bound Patient
ROOSEVELT, NY (WCBS 880) - Authorities are investigating a disturbing incident involving a blind 50-year-old wheelchair-bound patient and an employee at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Roosevelt.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On Long Island
Podcast
Gregory Richardson, 21, lowered the back of the wheelchair the patient was in and started bouncing it around, saying it was "like a roller coaster ride," Nassau County police Lt. Kevin Smith said.
"The victim appeared to bite himself, maybe in a frantic manner," said Smith. "We have a man who is 50 years of age who has a mental and physical disabilities virtually his whole life."
Smith said the attendant made the patient fear for his safety.
Richardson has been charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.
"[It's] a law that was put in effect so that people who can't defend themselves, action can be taken against people who abuse them," Smith told WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall.
Police said Richardson had taunted the victim in the same way at least one other time.
