SAINT CLOUD, FL – A home health nurse is under arrest following accusations of abusing a disabled young woman in her care. Nia Ayres was taken into custody in Saint Cloud, facing charges of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, a serious felony offense.
The mother of the victim, who remains deeply shaken, described the incident as deeply distressing. She revealed that home security footage captured the abuse, which left her feeling physically ill upon viewing. While she chose not to appear on camera due to emotional distress, she expressed her hope that sharing her daughter’s ordeal might act as a warning to others.
Authorities arrested Ayres on Wednesday night. The nurse stands accused of abusing an 18-year-old quadriplegic woman who suffers from cerebral palsy and is unable to speak. The victim’s mother alerted the police after noticing unexplained red scratches around her daughter’s mouth and eyes on May 3.
Chief Douglas confirmed the existence of clear video evidence documenting the assault. The footage reportedly shows Ayres engaging in cruel acts, such as sealing the victim’s mouth with tape and forcefully removing it, shaking her head and body, and tampering with her breathing apparatus, which caused a nosebleed. Additionally, the footage allegedly shows Ayres holding a washcloth over the victim’s mouth for extended periods.
The Department of Health records indicate that Ayres has been a licensed practical nurse since 2021, with no previous complaints or disciplinary actions on her record. The victim’s mother, who entrusted Ayres with her daughter’s care for over a year, now fears that there may have been previous incidents of abuse. She is currently reviewing past footage and pledges to pursue additional charges if further evidence of wrongdoing surfaces.
Ayres worked for two healthcare companies, both of which have been informed of the allegations. Chief Kirk of the Saint Cloud Police Department is appealing to the public for any additional information and urges other potential victims or those who know of any such incidents to come forward.
The case highlights the critical importance of vigilance and the need for robust systems to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse.