Vernal, Utah • Three caretakers at a Vernal care home for adults with mental disabilities were arrested Friday after police found they were physically abusing a resident.
Kayla Jeanine Evans, 33, and Ashia Wyasket, 23, were arrested for Intentional Aggravated Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult. Evans has additional charges for Intentional Abuse or Neglect, as well as Obstruction of Justice.
Booking documents filed by police mention a third person arrested for abuse, criminal negligence, and obstruction of justice, but at time of writing, FOX 13 News has not been able to verify their identity.
According to the probable cause statement filed by the Uintah County Sheriff’s office, the investigation began just after 7:00 p.m. Friday night in a residential area near 900 North 1500 East. A neighbor had called police after a young man ran from a home that was later discovered to be a residence for adults with mental disabilities managed by North Eastern Services. At time of reporting, the company has not yet responded to FOX 13 News’ request for comment.
The neighbor told officers that the young man, who is non-verbal, was sobbing. His face was also covered in blood. When the neighbor asked the man who hit him, he pointed Evans, who had run across the street after him. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
As police questioned the neighbor and employees working at the care home, officers learned that Evans and Wyasket had both walked into the bedroom where the man had been staying and took turns beating him with a wooden dowel normally used to keep the back door of the home shut.
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