Former CHDC employees charged with abuse
Felony abuse charges were filed Thursday against three former employees of the Conway Human Development Center, resulting from an Arkansas Attorney General's office investigation into separate incidents reported at the facility.
Arrest warrants were issued for Dorothy Brakebill, 61, and Anthony Williford, 21, both of Conway, and Joshua Hawkins, 24, of Little Rock, although no arrests were made as of Monday evening.
Conway Police Department initial incident reports were the only records available Monday evening offering specific details of the initial incidents sparking the investigation.
The court documents do not name CHDC, just the three individual employees charged.
Brakebill was accused Feb. 15 of kicking a 29-year-old resident in the buttocks, according to the incident report. An employee reporting the incident told police he "believed that the kick Brakebill gave ... was more playful than abusive."
At the time the report was made, the resident was being checked by a doctor.
It was reported June 11 that Williford injured a 17-year-old resident by twisting the boy's right wrist and "making it pop." A doctor, the report said, prescribed ice for the wrist. In addition to the felony abuse charge, Williford was charged an additional count for second-degree terroristic threatening, a misdemeanor.
On July 2, 2003, CHDC officials filed a report with police that an employee witnessed Hawkins hit a 51-year-old resident on top of the head with a serving spoon. The resident was seen at the CHDC clinic for an exam and Hawkins was placed on administrative leave.
CHDC officials forwarded questions regarding the cases to Julie Munsell, Arkansas Department of Human Services spokesman. Munsell said the department does not comment on adult abuse cases unless a death is involved.
Further information about the investigations was not available Monday night from the Attorney General's office.
H.G. Foster, 20th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, said the Attorney General's office has paid more attention to adult abuse cases lately, making them a "real priority."
When the Attorney General hands over a case for prosecution, Foster said the office doesn't mind filing recommended charges.
Foster said, "He (Attorney General Mike Beebe) has really reached out ... we trust him."