3 Employees At Developmental Challenge Facility Accused Of Beating Teen, Adult Clients
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WEST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Five employees at a Chester County facility that provides services for people with behavioral, intellectual and developmental challenges are facing charges. Three of the employees are accused of assaulting clients, and two other employees are accused of witnessing the assaults, but not reporting them, at the Devereux Kanner Center in West Whiteland Township.
All of the alleged incidents took place on separate occasions over the past three months.
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"We've determined through the course of those investigations that a few people had committed crimes related to their care-taking responsibilities at the facility," says Detective Scott Pezick.
According to West Whiteland Township Police, 27-year-old Christina Borden threw a 16-year-old to the ground and struck the victim with her knees multiple times, causing the victim to suffer a broken arm, during an incident on Sept. 30. Police say 25-year-old Monique Scott and 38-year-old Solgie Barbar witnessed the alleged assault, but failed to report it as required by law.
"I don't know if there is a pattern, but it is coincidental you know during this short period of time we have incidents that weren't reported as they're required to be.
Eventually, they were, but there were staff members that allegedly had information on this and failed to follow through," Pezick adds.
In another alleged assault on Sept. 30, Borden is accused of striking two juveniles and an adult in the arm with a cell phone cord. Police say Scott failed to report that incident as well.
On Oct. 21, police say 25-year-old Jordan Brothers struck an 18-year-old at the center, and on Nov. 6, 32-year-old Kimberly Dawkins is accused of striking a 17-year-old.
Police are concerned about mandated reporter training at the facility, given the circumstances of this case. Conversations are ongoing to make sure the laws are being followed.
However, Devereux Kanner Center officials are adamant that they follow strict procedures to ensure that incidents such as this one don't happen.
"Nothing is more important to us than the safe and effective care of children, and we have absolutely zero tolerance, none, for anyone who does not strictly adhere to Devereux's quality of care standards," officials explain.
Borden has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, endangering the welfare of children, and other related charges. She is being held at Chester County Prison after failing to post bail.
Scott and Barbar were each charged with endangering the welfare of children and failure to report child abuse. Both were released on unsecured $25,000 bail.
Brothers and Dawkins were each issued criminal summons.
