Supervisor at Sunrise Community Facility charged with abusing disabled man, deputies say
A supervisor at the Sunrise Community Facility in Tampa was arrested after she pushed and kicked a man with cerebral palsy, deputies say.
Angela Mercado, 43, of Valrico is a day program supervisor at the facility at 2714 W. Kirby St., which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Deputies were originally called to the facility for reports of abuse on May 10, the news release states.
During their investigation, detectives learned that a staff member at the facility saw Mercado become angry at a man for moving too slowly, the news release states. The man had cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities, deputies said.
According to the release, the staff member saw Mercado push the man into a doorway and repeatedly kick him.
Deputies arrested Mercado on Friday on a charge of abusing an elderly or disabled adult. She was placed on unpaid administrative leave until the facility completes its investigation, the news release states.
“It is sickening that someone in a position of trust, meant to help others, would use such violence against a vulnerable person,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release.
“There is no place for abuse in our community. Our detectives will continue to work to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, is protected.”
Mercado was being held at the Orient Road Jail on a $5,000 bond Friday, records show.
