Published: December 31, 2008 09:18 pm      

Care home resident charged with assault

Summerhill Township facility was closed by state officials

BEAVERDALE — An 18-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a resident of a personal care home that was closed by the state.

The state Department of Public Welfare shut Brunnet’s Personal Care Home on Tuesday, citing the assault among numerous incidents there.

Joseph C. Emmel, a resident at the facility of 134 Lance St., Summerhill Township, was charged Wednesday with seven counts related to the Nov. 30 attack on a 66-year-old mentally challenged man.

“The victim was able to tell us what happened, and there were three or four witnesses,” Summerhill Township police Chief Paul Bonfanti said.

“They were other residents, and we got statements from them.”

Police were called immediately after the attack. Charges filed Dec. 1 include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, two counts of aggravated assault, harassment, simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Emmel admitted to the attack when interviewed, the police report said.

“The victim was unable to defend himself because of his physical and mental state,” the report said.

Emmel was removed from the facility, arraigned by District Judge Galen Decort of Portage and lodged in Cambria County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail. He has no prior criminal record, Bonfanti said.

Following the attack, the victim was admitted to Memorial Medical Center, and workers at Brunnet’s were given instructions for follow-up care.

After executing an emergency relocation of 15 residents and shutting the home Tuesday, state officials said facility operators ignored the declining health of the assault victim, including incontinence and limping.

The facility also failed to obtain psychiatric help for him, as instructed by the hospital, state officials said.

The victim’s condition on Christmas Day was so bad that visiting family members asked that he be seen by a doctor.

State officials said a further examination showed the victim had a fractured pelvis, septicemia and an abscess so severe that he was unable to urinate.

He spent much of December in his bed with his blanket over his head and crying, the welfare report said.