EAST HARTFORD – The assistant manager of a group home for adults with developmental disabilities was arrested Tuesday after police found videos in her possession of staff abusing residents, police said.
Stephanie Jones had stored the videos in electronic devices at her home on Tolland Street. Police said they searched the home and seized the videos as evidence of Jones inciting the abuse.
Jones was charged with inciting injury to persons in connection with two incidents. She was released on $50,000 bond.
Police began investigating abuse allegations at the Options Unlimited group home, located at 371 King St., after a video of a staff member abusing a mentally disabled resident was given to police last year.
Angelica Rivera, the staff member caught on video, was arrested July 11, 2012. She was charged with cruelty to persons, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, third-degree assault, disorderly contact and third-degree abuse.
Rivera rejected a plea bargain offer, placing her case on the trial list.
According to an arrest warrant, Rivera told police that eight other employees of the Options Unlimited group home had been fired for abuse.
Witnesses told police that Jones, who was an assistant manager at the time, was aware of the abuse and had video of staff abusing the residents, police said.
Story by Hilda Munoz, Hartford Courant