Pa. care home workers accused of abusing disabled residents

Two men who worked in direct care at a western Pennsylvania residential facility inflicted what a grand jury alleges was “violent, demeaning and humiliating” abuse on people with severe physical and mental disabilities, federal prosecutors said Friday in announcing hate crimes criminal charges.

Zachary Lee Dinell, 28, and Tyler James Smith, 31, are accused of abusing people who are not able to speak to report their injuries and lack the capacity to defend themselves.

Their 12-count indictment issued Wednesday describes residents of McGuire Memorial in New Brighton, Pa, were punched in the face and head, choked, kicked in the face, jumped on, had caustic substances and other liquids rubbed into their eyes and had liquids sprayed and thrown into their mouths.

The roughly 50-resident facility is an institution within the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese and is a ministry cosponsored by the Felician Sisters of North America.

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/03/pa-care-home-workers-accused-of-abusing-disabled-residents.html