Police on Long Island arrested a 31-year-old man for slapping a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy who was crying and coughing in a Port Jefferson residence.
Former Christian Nursing Registry caretaker Bruno Valenzuela is accused of “slapping the child aggressively in the back and chest” in the alleged victim’s home on Dec. 20, according to Suffolk County police.
He was arrested Thursday night at his home in Brentwood and faces a felony count in connection to the alleged incident.
Authorities began their investigation of Valenzuela after the child was brought by his family to Stony Brook University Hospital with a bruised back and chest.
Police later charged the suspect with endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a class E felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Venezuela was scheduled for a Friday arraignment in Central Islip.
Detectives are asking anyone concerned that the suspect may have mistreated a member of their family to contact the Special Victims Section.
Authorities said he’s no longer working with the Christian Nursing Registry in Smithtown.
