Beating of local disabled man caught on video

COLUMBIA, Md. - A Howard County woman has been arrested in connection with the beating of an intellectually disabled man under her care in a group home.  According to Howard County Police , Donna Everett , 57, has been charged with multiple counts of assault and reckless endangerment stemming from the beating, which was caught on tape.

In the video, Everett is seen beating a 53-year-old man inside the home run by not-for-profit Emerge, Inc.  ABC2 spoke with Executive Director David Wamsley Monday morning.  He called the video, "Repulsive and disgusting", telling ABC2 the organization operates with a "hands-off" policy at all times.

The assault happened Friday inside a house on Quilting Way in Columbia, which is run by Emerge. Wamsley says the company was forward the video on Friday and immediately contacted police. He indicates Everett had worked for the company for several years but had no record of problems.  Wamsley says Emerge is now reviewing every facility in which Everett worked to see if policies were violated.

During the altercation, Everett is seen spitting at the disabled man and hitting him in the head and neck as others in the background videotape and laugh. Police say she also endangered the safety of a 41-year-old female patient, who is also seen beating the male patient in the video.

Police say Everett posted a $100,000 bond and has been released from custody.  The agency says it is also trying to identify the people involved in making the videotape.