Lake Charles Caretaker Accused of Giving Disabled Client Bleach
Lake Charles, Louisiana - A Lake Charles home care worker is facing several charges after police say he poured bleach into a water bottle and gave it to a disabled client to drink.
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The Lake Charles Police Department says officers were called to a home in the 2400 block of Anita Drive around 7:26 p.m. Monday, September 14, after a family member reported a suspicious situation.
According to a video posted on Social Media, the caretaker poured bleach into a water bottle and gave it to a client who is physically and mentally disabled and unable to care for himself. The victim told police that he drank from the bottle before noticing that it tasted like bleach. [VIDEO]
The victim's family also shared security camera video from inside the home. Police say the video shows the caretaker, identified as 30-year-old Reginald Andre Wilson, pouring a substance from a large jug into a water bottle. Wilson then returned the jug to the laundry area before shaking the bottle and handing it to the victim.
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A family member later confronted Wilson about what happened. According to police, Wilson admitted that he had poured bleach into the bottle.
Here is the official release from the Lake Charles City Police Department...
On Monday, September 14 at approximately 7:26 P.M. officers of the Lake Charles Police Department were called to the 2400 block of Anita Dr in reference to a suspicious circumstance.
Once officers arrived, they learned that the caretaker had poured bleach into a water bottle and gave it to the victim who is physically and mentally handicapped and unable to care for himself. A relative, who resides with the victim, reported it to LCPD. The victim stated that the caretaker gave him the water bottle and after drinking it, he noticed it tasted like bleach. The relative confronted the caretaker and he admitted to pouring bleach into the water. Heaven on Earth home health agency was contacted, and the caretaker was forced to leave the property, prior to officers being notified.
Video footage was observed by the officer and collected as evidence. The victim completed a formal prosecution form to pursue charges.
Officers later located the suspect and placed him under arrest, without incident, for Aggravated Battery, Cruelty to the Infirm, and Mingling of Harmful Substances. The suspect is identified as 30-year-old Reginald Wilson of Lake Charles. Wilson was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center.
The Heaven on Earth home health agency was contacted after the incident. The agency said Wilson was removed from the home, and the client was taken to the emergency room to be checked. Here is the official statement from Heaven on Earth...
Heaven On Earth Network Inc. administration and staff are deeply saddened to see what transpired in the recent video shared on social media concerning a client and one of our staff members. I would like to start off by saying that our client’s health and safety is our number one priority and that any abuse is not tolerated by our agency. We immediately took action and removed the worker and transported client to ER to be evaluated. We are working with local authorities as well as state agencies according to our policies and procedures. Because of HIPPA and the nature of this; I’m not allowed to share any other details. But I do want to add that we have some great individuals that do outstanding work and that the actions of this one person does not define who we are! Again, we are cooperating with all authorities to seek justice for our client and the investigation is ongoing. Thank you and continue to pray for our community, and those who are most vulnerable.
Wilson was later found by police and arrested without incident. He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on charges of aggravated battery, cruelty to the infirm, and mingling of harmful substances.
This investigation is ongoing...