A Louisiana caregiver has been arrested after police said he allegedly poured bleach into a water bottle and gave it to a disabled client to drink.
The incident happened in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Monday, September 14, according to the Lake Charles Police Department.
Authorities identified the caregiver as 30-year-old Reginald Andre Wilson.
Police said officers were called to a home in the 2400 block of Anita Drive at approximately 7:26 p.m. after a family member reported a suspicious situation involving the client and his caregiver.
According to investigators, the client is physically and mentally disabled and requires assistance with daily care.
Security camera footage from inside the home was reportedly provided to police. The video appears to show Wilson taking a water bottle and pouring a substance from a large container into it. He then reportedly shook the bottle before handing it back to the client.
Police said Wilson told the client, “Here, drink this.”
The client reportedly drank from the bottle before noticing that the liquid tasted like bleach.
A relative subsequently confronted Wilson about what had happened. According to police, Wilson admitted that he had poured bleach into the water bottle.
The client’s family shared the security footage on social media and contacted authorities. Police later collected the video as evidence as part of their investigation.
Wilson was employed by Heaven on Earth, a home care agency that provides assistance to clients. The agency was contacted following the incident and Wilson was removed from the home.
The agency also said the client was transported to an emergency room to be evaluated. Heaven on Earth said it was cooperating with law enforcement and state agencies investigating the incident.
Wilson was later located by police and arrested without incident.
He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on charges of aggravated battery, cruelty to persons with infirmities, and mingling of harmful substances, according to authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing. The allegations against Wilson have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Authorities have not publicly announced a motive for the alleged incident.
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