ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- An abuse investigation is underway at a group home run by ARC of St. Johns County. The organization provides care and housing to intellectually and developmentally disabled people in our area, people who can't take care of themselves.
That's why ARC Executive Director Kathy Jackson calls allegations that two former employees were abusing two patients "infuriating."
"It's very infuriating when this happens, and it doesn't happen often," she said. "But when it does, we're all very sad."
Curtis Hammond and Darries Williams are the two accused former employees. Police say when two residents became difficult to deal with, Hammond and Williams used a broom stick to get their way.
"They were prodding him and hitting him, it wasn't beating him, according to what we understand," said Jackson.
Police say the prodding and hitting was caught on camera, and that video is now being used as evidence against the two suspects. Jackson says the abuse was reported and stopped, quickly. And she says the two victims are now doing just fine. "It is just tragic that it happened."
Both suspects face felony charges. Hammond has been arrested. A warrant was issued for Williams' arrest. Jackson says she believes police have caught up with both men now. We are waiting for police to confirm that.
