[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A shocking case out of Arizona is drawing outrage after a behavioral therapist who worked with children on the autism spectrum was arrested over brutal assault allegations involving a 5-year-old child in his care.
According to police and court records via WWNY-TV and others on Monday, 42-year-old Adolfo Salas is facing felony child abuse and aggravated assault charges after authorities say surveillance footage captured a disturbing incident during a one-on-one therapy session at Soar Autism Treatment Center in the Phoenix-area city of Peoria.
Related: Doctor, Therapist, And Attorney All Arrested In CRAZY Child Sexual Abuse Sting
The child involved is described as nonverbal and diagnosed with autism. Investigators allege that video from inside the facility shows Salas allegedly KICKING the child while the youngster was on his hands and knees cleaning up trash. Authorities say the child later showed visible bruising beneath one eye and received medical treatment.
Salas was arrested after police reviewed the surveillance footage. Court records indicate a judge set bond at $5,000 and ordered electronic monitoring if he is released from custody while the case proceeds.
Prosecutors had asked that Salas’ bond be set at the whopping total of $100,000, simply because of the circumstances of the case. Per local news outlets including WWNY-TV in Phoenix, Ashley Stetson of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said:
“Had there not been some sort of video recording, which did allegedly record the incident, there was no way for this child to be able to tell anyone about the assault.”
Seriously.
The allegations have sparked strong reactions, especially because the accused was working in a position of trust with vulnerable children. And you can see it for yourself with some of this disturbing video content (below):
And more (below):
Meanwhile, the autism center where the incident allegedly occurred moved quickly to distance itself from the accused employee. In a statement, the facility emphasized that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding any conduct that could compromise the safety or well-being of children, and said it had fired Salas:
“We have zero tolerance for this and any behavior that compromises the safety or well-being of the children entrusted to our care.”
The case is expected to move through the court system in the coming months, per local outlets.
What a horrific story…
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