Supervisor Is Charged in Death of Patient
The Autism News | English
A supervisor at a state-run psychiatric center on Staten Island was charged Wednesday in the death last year of an autistic patient undergoing treatment at the facility, authorities said.
Erik Stanley, of Middletown, N.J., used excessive force when he subdued Jawara Henry on Dec. 4, 2010, at the South Beach Psychiatric Center, suffocating the patient with pressure on his neck and torso, Staten Island prosecutors said.
Mr. Stanley, 37 years old, surrendered to police after an eight-month investigation by Staten Island prosecutors. He was arraigned Wednesday on charges of criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. He pleaded not guilty and was released without bail.
The investigation found Mr. Stanley did “not follow protocol nor use proper techniques while to trying to restrain” Mr. Henry, who was “agitated and aggressive and was biting staff and other patients,” said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovon Jr. in a statement
The investigation included a review of medical and forensic evidence, in addition to interviews with eyewitnesses to the incident, the statement said.
The medical examiner ruled Mr. Henry, 27, died of asphyxiation due to chest and neck compression.
The South Beach Psychiatric Center is operated by the Staten Island division of the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
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