Two J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center staff members have been charged with assaulting disabled patients.
Benny Edward Brice IV, 32, of ɫ, is charged with felony assault on an individual with disability. Zolio Collado Jr., 56, of Valdese, is charged with misdemeanor assault on an individual with disability, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Friday.
Brice
Collado
The sheriff’s office was contacted on Wednesday about a reported assault that happened during a supervised outing for residents by the staff of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in ɫ. The group went to a Burke County park for a recreational activity, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office did not provide any details about how the assault occurred. The sheriff’s office said two J. Iverson Riddle Development Center residents were assaulted.
"The health and safety of patients at state operated health care facilities is a top priority for NCDHHS. We are cooperating with local law enforcement and can’t provide further comment on the investigation," the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said on Friday.
Collado and Brice have been placed on leave pending the investigation, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The J. Iverson Riddle Development Center is a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities located at 300 Enola Road, in ɫ.
Collado was a given $20,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 18. Brice was given a $50,000 secured bond. Brice will appear in Burke County District Court on Monday.
Collado and Brice are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sarah Johnson is a digital news reporter for the ɫ News Herald.
