L.I. Group Home Worker Accused Of Beating Patient With Book

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A worker at a Long Island group home was arrested this week on allegations that she of repeatedly hitting a disabled patient in the head with a book.

New York State Special Needs Prosecutor Patricia Gunning said Marie Calvaire, 62, was arrested Tuesday on assault, endangering the welfare of a disabled person and other charges.

Prosecutors said the incident happened in November 2015 when Calvaire worked as a direct support worker at EPIC Long Island. Authorities said Calviare repeatedly struck a disabled person she was caring for in the head with a book.

"People with disabilities and special needs who are dependent on others for their care deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and feel safe in their residences," Gunning said in a news release. "The Justice Center works tirelessly to ensure that individuals, like this service recipient, who are victimized by a caregiver, receive the justice they deserve."

A spokesman for EPIC Long Island said it immediately reported the incident to authorities and suspended Calvaire.

Calvaire was arraigned Tuesday in Nassau County and released after posting $1,500 bail.

Attempts to reach Calvaire or her attorney for comment Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.

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