A Queens woman who works as a caretaker for the elderly was arrested on assault and related charges after she was caught on video physically abusing her 83-year-old client in Woodmere, Long Island.
Merlyn Fredericks, 36, was seen on surveillance video “striking, grabbing, yanking and punching” the face and body of the victim, a woman who suffers from a cognitive disorder, Nassau County Police announced Friday.
An investigation into the alleged abuse, which occurred on Feb. 19, began after the victim’s legal guardian noticed “a significant amount of bruising” on the woman’s body.
When questioned about the bruises, Fredericks said the victim had fallen “on multiple occasions.” However, after placing a camera in the home, the surveillance equipment allegedly captured the shocking mistreatment of the senior. The guardian then notified police.
Fredericks was arrested Thursday without incident, Nassau Police said. She faces charges including assault and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person.
She was arraigned Friday in Nassau District Court in Hempstead.