caregivers

Published on: December 20, 2025

Adoptive Caregivers Facing 900+ Counts for Severe Teen Abuse

A pair of Pennsylvania caregivers was taken into custody after authorities learned of severe mistreatment involving their adopted teenage son.

School staff contacted police in early September when the 16-year-old arrived looking underweight after months without in-person classes. Investigators said he reported being confined to a nearly empty room under constant camera surveillance, punished for moving around, and denied regular meals, leading to significant weight loss. He also reportedly described being forced into cold showers, made to stay in the basement with minimal clothing, and at times bound to the floor with duct tape. It was reported that the teenager told officers he had been cut with a blade and threatened with additional harm. Child welfare officials removed him from the home, and medical staff helped him regain weight within weeks.

Both women were taken into custody and booked into the Jefferson County Jail. They are facing many charges, including more than 460 second-degree felony counts of unlawful restraint of a minor by a parent with risk of bodily injury, more than 460 second-degree felony counts of false imprisonment of a minor by a parent, two second-degree felony counts of endangering the welfare of children by a parent, six third-degree felony counts of endangering the welfare of children by a parent, two first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault with attempts to cause serious bodily injury with extreme indifference, one second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with attempts to cause serious bodily injury with extreme indifference, one count of second-degree felony strangulation, one first-degree felony count of involuntary servitude, five second-degree misdemeanor counts of simple assault, five second-degree misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person, three first-degree misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, and one second-degree misdemeanor count of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. At the time this was written, both women were being held in lieu of $500,000 bonds.

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Published on: September 16, 2018

Man Faking Down Syndrome Hires Aids for Diaper Changes

by Staycie R. Sena

Three caregivers were hired to provide assistance to a man they believed had Down syndrome, and they allegedly discovered he lied about having the disorder in order to derive sexual gratification when they changed his diapers and cleaned his private parts.

A caregiver was hired for an assignment in May after she replied to an ad that she found on a site called CareLinx, where people seeking in-home aide can connect with people who can offer them the support they need.

The woman was offered the job after texting with someone named Amy, who she believed was the client’s mother. She was reportedly told that she would be attending to the needs of a 31-year-old man who has Down syndrome and needs his diapers changed, in addition to assistance when he bathes. She was further instructed that she should punish the man if he went to the bathroom in his diaper.

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Published on: October 3, 2017

Dog Sitter Accused of Burglarizing Home Pleads Not Guilty

by Staycie R. Sena

In August a Palos Verdes Estates man planning a vacation sought dog walking services through a service called Care.com, a site matching caregivers with potential clients in need, and selected Nephi Henderson of Hermosa Beach for the job. Henderson accepted the position and was provided a key in order to gain entry while the homeowner was away. He has been accused of using the key to steal property from the home.

Police reported that when the victim returned home he discovered some of his personal belongings were missing. He had a video surveillance security system in place, and while reviewing the material he discovered two people stealing items from his home. The recording for the following night revealed three people who stole more of his possessions. He believed one of the suspects was recognizable as Henderson.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Henderson’s place of residence and identified the missing property from the victim’s home, in addition to goods taken from another reported burglary. Purses and clothing that did not appear to belong to Henderson were also discovered leading police to believe that more victims may exist.

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