What is deeply unsettling is how ayers managed to go unnoticed for such a long time, even though he had close contact with a patient who was particularly susceptible to harm.
Despite having no disciplinary history and working for various healthcare agencies, doubts are raised regarding the effectiveness of oversight and background checks in the industry. Is there a possibility of additional victims who have not yet come forward?
And how many other caregivers might be concealing hidden secrets behind their professional masks? As investigators delve deeper into the evidence, including surveillance footage and testimonies, the full extent of this unsettling case may remain hidden.
A nurse from Florida was apprehended following the recording of her repeatedly mistreating a quadriplegic woman within the confines of her own home.
Nia Ayers, 24, a licensed practical nurse from St. Cloud is currently facing charges of aggravated assault against a disabled teenager after the release of unsettling footage depicting her mistreatment of an 18-year-old woman with cerebral palsy.
The victim, who communicates through non-verbal means and relies on a ventilator, was subjected to distressing acts such as having her mouth taped shut, being violently shaken, and enduring continuous physical abuse by ayers—who was entrusted with her care.
The abuse was exposed on May 3 when the victim’s mother observed unexplained injuries on her daughter’s face and decided to review the home’s surveillance footage.
What she witnessed was horrifying: ayers was caught on tape repeatedly restraining the victim’s mouth, forcefully removing it, shaking her head and body, pinching her, and aggressively handling her breathing machine, resulting in the victim’s nose bleeding.
These acts of cruelty resulted in Ayers’ arrest on Wednesday.
According to the arrest warrant, the footage also showed ayers using a washcloth to cover the victim’s mouth for a long time, while the paralyzed woman appeared to struggle and try to move her head away, as if she was being suffocated.
Nia Ayers, as seen in police custody, was apprehended on May 7th, charged with serious offenses connected to the assault of the disabled teenager.
St. Cloud police chief Douglas Goerke expressed his deep sorrow and disgust over the incident, emphasizing the vulnerability of disabled individuals who rely on the care of professionals.
The mother of the victim shared with the authorities that ayers had been residing in their home for more than a year and now suspects there may have been additional instances of abuse that were not discovered.
The investigation into the footage from the home is ongoing, with police still trying to determine the full scope of what was captured.
Chief goerke was filled with profound anger and disbelief, stating, “it’s absolutely shocking, it’s unimaginable that someone could commit such acts.” If we discover additional evidence, more charges will be brought against the accused. We will exhaust all available avenues to guarantee that this individual either never sets foot in a courtroom or never perpetrates such cruelty again.
Ayers detained without bail at Osceola County Jail.
The records indicate that the nurse had worked for two separate healthcare agencies and, according to the Florida Department of Health, has no history of disciplinary actions.
She has been a registered nurse since 2021.
Result:
The inquiry into ayers’ conduct continues, with law enforcement determined to uncover the complete extent of the abuse. Considering the gravity of the evidence that has already been discovered, law enforcement has made it abundantly clear that they will pursue all available charges to ensure her accountability and prevent any future harm.
While ayers is still in custody without bail, the community is struggling to come to terms with the shocking betrayal of trust by someone who was supposed to provide care and support to vulnerable individuals.