The St. Cloud Police Department has arrested a local home health nurse accused of abusing an 18-year-old nonverbal patient, after disturbing abusive incidents were captured on the family’s home security cameras.
Nia Ayers, 24, is facing a felony charge of aggravated abuse of an elderly or disabled adult. Police say video footage shows Ayers repeatedly taping the victim’s mouth shut and forcibly removing the tape, holding a washcloth over her mouth, and aggressively shaking a BiPAP breathing machine while it was connected to the patient’s face.
The victim suffers from a medical condition that renders her unable to communicate or defend herself.
The abuse came to light after the girl’s mother noticed unexplained cuts and abrasions on her daughter’s face, particularly around the mouth and eyelids. Concerned, she reviewed footage from the family’s in-home security system and immediately contacted authorities.
Following an investigation, SCPD obtained an arrest warrant. Ayers turned herself in late Wednesday night and was booked Thursday morning into the Osceola County Department of Corrections.
“This victim is completely unable to defend herself or cry out for help,” said St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke. “This is a truly heinous act, and we are concerned there may be other victims.”
Police are urging anyone with information or concerns regarding Ayers’ care of a loved one to contact the St. Cloud Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit at (407) 891-6700.
