The family of a senior who is disabled released a video showing their loved one being severely punched and beaten with a belt by his caretaker at a Georgia mental health facility.
Footage shows a staff member at Total Care senior facility in Gordon walking over to 55-year-old Joey Cason and hitting him more than 30 times with her hand and belt.
Brian Jarrard, the family’s attorney, told WLTX 19 that Cason is “severely mentally disabled” and that his family can’t afford to care for him.
Watch below (video is disturbing):
Jarrard said:
“These are some of our most weakest, our most vulnerable citizens. So, it’s important to know and watch and to see when they’re not being cared for appropriately.”
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) said that about one in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has been a victim of elder abuse.
Jarrard continued:
“I think anybody would find the video despicable. It was heartbreaking. It made me angry to think of individuals who were being paid to care for him were engaged in just despicable abuse.”
At one point, Cason was jeered and taunted while other residents were able to strike him, but he couldn’t defend himself.
The trending video has sparked outrage as an investigation found five employees involved in the beating.
According to the outlet, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities revoked Total Care’s license following the incident.
The former owner, Pamela Reaves, has declined to comment on the pending case.
The Gordon Police Department has charged Cason’s caretaker, Shakia Smith, with battery and neglect of an elder person.
The family has filed a suit against after the investigation.