A Long Island nurse has been arrested on felony charges after allegedly assaulting a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy while providing care at the child’s home, Suffolk County authorities confirmed.
The incident, captured on surveillance video, has raised serious concerns about oversight of caregivers for vulnerable children.
Bruno Valenzuela, 31, employed by the Christian Nursing Registry in Smithtown, allegedly struck and roughly handled Maverick Brower on Dec. 20.
Maverick, described by his father as “the center of our world,” is nonverbal and nonambulatory. Surveillance footage reportedly shows bruises across the child’s arms, chest, legs and back, prompting immediate concern from the family.
Christopher Brower, a New York Police Department detective and Maverick’s father, discovered the injuries and reviewed footage from cameras installed in the boy’s bedroom, News 12 reported.
According to Brower, the video shows Valenzuela repeatedly slapping Maverick’s chest, lifting and shaking him and repeatedly telling him to “relax, relax” while the child cried.
Alarmed by the footage, Brower filed a police report and took Maverick to Stony Brook University Hospital to document his injuries.
Valenzuela was arrested on Jan. 15 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and endangering a physically disabled person, both felonies.
He pleaded not guilty and was released under non-monetary supervised conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor. A temporary order of protection was also granted for the family, according to People Magazine.
The Christian Nursing Registry terminated Valenzuela’s employment immediately after the incident. Officials emphasized that he had cared for the Brower family for more than three years and had previously been considered “part of the family.”
Agency representatives noted that his background check and documentation were current, and they described the episode as an isolated incident.
“From what we can tell, this was a one-time incident. We’re thinking that he just snapped,” said Camille Harlow, agency director.
Experts say families of children with disabilities must exercise extreme caution when hiring caregivers.
Lori Podvesker, director of disability and education policy at INCLUDEnyc, advised thorough vetting of agencies and staff.
“Contact the agency that will provide services and ask about their vetting process,” she said.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have observed similar behavior from Valenzuela to contact the Suffolk County Special Victims Section at 631-852-6184.
The case highlights the critical importance of accountability in home caregiving for children with special needs.
Conservative advocates for child protection argue that stricter screening, mandatory reporting and tougher penalties are essential to prevent abuse and ensure safety for vulnerable children.
Maverick’s parents have secured new care for him, though the emotional impact of the incident remains significant.
“That’s the part that upsets me the most—he couldn’t tell us what happened,” Brower said, according to KNOE 8 News.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility placed on caregivers and the urgent need for rigorous safeguards in homes where children with disabilities rely on others for constant care.
This disturbing case underscores that even trusted caregivers can pose risks, making vigilance and proper oversight critical.
Families must demand accountability from agencies, insist on thorough background checks and remain alert to any signs of potential abuse.
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