Worker charged in beating of patient
By Lee Williams
Published in News on September 3, 2006 2:03 AM
A former employee of the Nova Behavioral Healthcare Corp. on Airport Road faces charges for allegedly severely beating a mentally ill male patient.
Laytoya Teashay Daniels, 22, of East Pine Street, was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of patient abuse and/or neglect. She remained in custody at the Wayne County Jail Saturday in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
Ms. Daniels is accused of beating a 48-year-old male mentally ill patient with a belt, Wayne County Sheriff's Office investigators said. The mentally ill patient, who was not identified, was seriously injured in the ordeal, officials added.
Wayne County Sheriff's Office investigators received a report Aug. 25 from Nova officials, who said they were "stunned and outraged" by the incident. Detectives Carl Lancaster and Ray Brodgen investigated the report, and made the arrest six days later.
"The incident was immediately investigated internally by Nova personnel before being reported to the sheriff's office," Wayne County Sheriff's officials said in a prepared statement. "Immediate action was also taken by Nova to secure the safety of the residents."
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests could be forthcoming.
Nova Behavioral Healthcare Corp. provides services to indigent mentally ill patients and is funded by federal and state dollars, officials said.
Attempts to reach Nova officials Friday for further comment were unsuccessful.