Video Appears To Show Caregiver Assault Woman With Special Needs
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A woman is outraged after seeing a video of what appears to be a trusted caregiver assaulting her sister with special needs.
Chemere Estes told KDKA that her sister, 42-year-old Aneesha Estes, has cerebral palsy and was in the care of the non-profit organization Family Services United for about five years.
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The video that Estes sent to KDKA shows Aneesha Estes sitting on the couch in what appears to be a common area. There is a verbal exchange between Aneesha Estes and what looks like a staff member. Aneesha Estes gestures to hit the staffer on the arm, then the video shows that person slapping her across the face and yanking her ponytail.
"Just everything about it is wrong, and I'm hoping the people get arrested. Not just fired, arrested. And I'm hoping this facility is not able to have other people in their care," Chemere Estes said.
Chemere Estes told KDKA that the video was recorded sometime in September and surfaced last week. She said her sister complained to her about the assault when it first happened and she did report it.
However, Chemere Estes said the person she spoke with blamed her sister for having bad behavior.
"I know she does have behavioral problems. That's part of her mental health. So, they would make it as though it was just her. And I'm telling them she's not going to tell me something's wrong and nothing's wrong," Estes said.
Aneesha Estes has since left the home to live with Chemere Estes, who is paralyzed from the waist down after escaping a violent relationship, she said.
And to make matters worse, the two are also dealing with the loss of their mother, who died in October.
"I'm trying to find a way to get her in a better house and more counseling to see if we can help her and me because this has really taken a toll on me as well," Chemere Estes said.
Family Services United did not immediately return KDKA's multiple requests for comment.
Chemere Estes said she has shared the video with the police. She is also trying to find a new program for her sister, though she said it will be an uphill battle because she now deals with fear and trust issues since the alleged assault took place.
Chemere Estes said she's looking for a bigger place and better resources to try and keep her sister in her care, which is where she feels the safest right now.
