Montgomery County

Maryland Caregiver Gets 7 Years for Abusing Autistic Patient

A Montgomery County, Maryland, man was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison for abusing an autistic patient in his care.

Fabrice Yantou, 22, was an employee of Community Support Services, which runs halfway houses for adults with developmental disabilities.

Surveillance video showed Yantou abusing a 24-year-old patient who was unable to communicate verbally. The victim had autism and developmental disabilities.

In the video, Yantou is seen turning out lights and then punching and kicking the victim. The victim’s mother spoke to News4, calling the abuse every parent’s worst nightmare.

Prosecutors documented at least seven different incidents. The judge in the case called the abuse “torture.”

Community Support Services' executive director, Susan Ingram, said the group has "a zero tolerance policy for mistreatment of any individual we support." 

Contact Us