Florida Nurse Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Disabled 18-Year-Old Disabled Woman: 'A Heinous Act'

A home health nurse in Florida has been arrested after allegedly abusing an 18-year-old disabled woman in her care.

Nia Ayers, 24, was charged with aggravated abuse of the elderly or disabled after disturbing footage from home security cameras was turned over to authorities, according to a news release from the St. Cloud Police Department. 

The victim, a non-verbal quadriplegic woman diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was allegedly assaulted multiple times while under Ayers’ care. Police say Ayers was caught on video repeatedly taping the young woman’s mouth shut and then ripping the tape off.

She was also seen holding a washcloth to cover the victim’s mouth, and “shaking the nonverbal patient’s biPAP breathing machine while the device was connected to the patient’s nose,” per the release.

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Police say the woman’s mother noticed cuts and scrapes on her daughter’s face, which prompted her to review her home camera footage and contact law enforcement. 

“This is a truly heinous act,” said Chief of Police Douglas Goerke. “The victim in this case is completely unable to defend herself or cry out for help.”

Ayers turned herself into St. Cloud Police on May 7, and was booked into the Osceola County Department of Corrections the following day. She is currently being held without bond.