An employee of a group home in Wethersfield is accused of assaulting a resident who lives with autism and has been arrested. Police also said two group home employees who are suspected of being involved were fired before the incident was reported to the police.
Police said they were notified around 1:30 p.m. on Oct 30 about an assault that had occurred days earlier at a group home on Eastern Drive in Wethersfield that HARC, Inc. administers.
The group home provides services for people with intellectual and physical disabilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to police.
Investigators determined that an employee of the group assaulted a resident several times on Oct. 13, police said.
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They said the victim is a 28-year-old woman who lives with autism and is non-verbal. She sustained several head and facial cuts and a broken nose.
An ambulance took the victim to the hospital.
Police said they obtained an arrest warrant charging 24-year-old Kendra Demudd, of Hartford, with assault of a person with intellectual disability in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree and cruelty to persons.
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Attorneys for the state said the victim tried leaving her room and Demudd was trying to get her to stay there, threw a blanket and pillow over her, repeatedly punched her, slapped and pushed her.
“Harc, Inc. takes the safety and well-being of those we support very seriously. Upon learning of this incident, we terminated the employee involved and cooperated fully with local authorities," the company said in a statement. "As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further but remain committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all individuals in our care.”
Demudd turned herself in to police on Wednesday.
She was initially held on a $50,000 court-set bond. In court, bond was set at $25,000.
Court officials said she posted bond.
Family members who were in the courtroom had no comment.
Demudd is due in court next on Jan. 16
