10th employee at Connecticut psych hospital charged in patient abuse scandal

Police arrested the 10th mental health employee involved in a patient abuse scandal at Middletown-based Connecticut Valley Hospital's Whiting Forensic Division, according to the Hartford Courant.

Authorities on Wednesday charged Michael Presnick, RN, a forensic nurse, with one count of intentional cruelty for the alleged mistreatment of a psychiatric patient at the maximum security facility.

Mr. Presnick allegedly grabbed the patient by the arm and sprayed him in the face with an aerosol-type spray, among other transgressions, according to an arrest warrant cited by the Hartford Courant.

Police previously charged nine other employees in association with the alleged abuse. Connecticut health officials also suspended 37 hospital employees, representing nearly 20 percent of the psychiatric division's workforce.

Mr. Presnick, who posted $25,000 in bail, is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 24.

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