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Caregiver Arrested For Abusing Disabled Man In Columbia Group Home

COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) -- Howard County police have arrested a Randallstown woman for abusing an intellectually disabled man in an incident that was caught on video.

Donna Everett, 57, a house manager in a Columbia group home, was charged with multiple counts of assault and reckless endangerment in a case that involved abusing a 53-year-old man and endangering the safety of a 41-year-old woman.

Howard County police were contacted Friday by Emerge, Inc., which is identified on its website as "a not-for-profit organization" that serves "individuals with developmental, physical and mental health disabilities." The organization reported to police that a video had been brought to their attention that showed an Emerge employee assaulting a person who lives in one of their residential group homes, located in the 6500-block of Quilting Way in Columbia.

The video of the abuse had been posted on YouTube. In the video, officials say Everett can be seen striking the man in the head, face and neck, and spitting in the man's face. She is also seen and heard taunting and encouraging a female resident with disabilities to assist in the abuse of the man.

The man tried to defend himself, while the people recording the video can be heard laughing in the background.

Police are working to confirm the identities of the people involved in making the video.

Everett posted a $100,000 bond and was released from the Howard County Detention Center.

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