Families Sue ‘Sadistic’ Facility for Allegedly Abusing Developmentally Disabled Residents
Three families are suing staff members of a “sadistic” Bronx group home for people with developmental disabilities for allegedly abusing their family members for more than a decade. According to the complaint, staff members commonly punched, spit on, slapped, sexually abused, and denied food from non-verbal women residents, some who only have the “functioning of a toddler.”
Since the Union Avenue IRA home — sarcastically called the “Bronx Zoo” by employees — is run by New York State, the lawsuit also blames the state’s Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) for neglecting to intervene, specifically after receiving a letter from a staff whistleblower documenting the abuse.
“It’s revolting, appalling, inhuman,” said Ilann Maazel, the lead attorney for the case. “This case represents a complete breakdown in hiring, training, investigation, discipline, and oversight.”
In 2014, a Union Avenue IRA staff member sent an anonymous letter to the OPWDD, describing the abuse that was going on in the home. But, after the office waited weeks to act on it, the state eventually only decided to place a few staff members on paid administrative leave.
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