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Home Aide Accused of Slapping Disabled Child
16 Jan
Summary
- Home health aide faces charges for assaulting a disabled child.
- Surveillance video captured the aggressive slapping incident.
- The child suffered bruises, leading to the family's report.
Suffolk County police have arrested Bruno Valenzuela, 31, on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and an incompetent or physically disabled person. The arrest stems from an incident on December 20 in Port Jefferson, where Valenzuela, a home health aide, allegedly slapped a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. This occurred while Valenzuela was in the child's home, employed by the Christian Nursing Registry.
The alleged assault was captured on surveillance video and reportedly happened after the child began coughing and crying. Police stated Valenzuela slapped the boy aggressively on the back and chest, leaving him with bruises. The family discovered the injuries and sought hospital treatment a few days later, subsequently filing a police report that led to an investigation by the Special Victims Unit.
Valenzuela was taken into custody at his Brentwood residence on Thursday night and was scheduled for arraignment on Friday in Central Islip. The Christian Nursing Registry expressed horror at the incident, stating Valenzuela had been employed for 3.5 years with a good record. They have terminated his employment and reported him to the state licensing department.
