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An incident at the Anderson Center for Autism in Hyde Park, New York, has led to charges against a staff member accused of assaulting a resident. Authorities allege that 22-year-old Deijeanae Edwards held a pillow against a resident's face while restraining the individual's arm. The incident, which occurred on Saturday (August 2), was reported by staff who noticed visible bruising on the resident's chest, arms, and shoulder.
According to New York State Police, Edwards was arrested on Thursday (August 7) and charged with a misdemeanor of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. She was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Hyde Park Court on Tuesday (August 19) at 5:00 PM.
The Anderson Center for Autism stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy for actions that compromise resident safety. They confirmed that staff intervened immediately, and Edwards was placed on leave. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather information about the incident.