A Ridge man was arrested for allegedly tying a 59-year-old developmentally disabled woman to her bed at the state-run group home where the suspect was a caregiver, authorities said.
Andrew Hatcher, 28, pleaded not guilty Monday at Suffolk County court to two felony counts of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.
“When a New Yorker requires the help of a group home caregiver, they expect the health care professional to act as such,” said New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, whose offce secured an indictment against Hatcher. “At the very least they expect to be treated with dignity and respect—that’s a human right.”
Prosecutors said Hatcher was a direct support assistant at the state-run Centereach Intermediate Care Facility when he endangered the welfare of two severely physically impaired and intellectually disabled residents by failing to perform required 15-minute bed checks to ensure their safety while he was the only caregiver on the night shift.
The victim that he allegedly tied up was found the next morning still tied to her bed, soaked in urine and having suffered injuries to the skin on her feet and right leg, according to investigators.
Justice John Collins released Hatcher without bail. The suspect is due back in court June 12. He faces up to four years in prison, if convicted.
