'It makes you cringe.' DA demands stronger patient protections after aide's plea deal
Following a plea deal in the assault of a disabled Gulf War veteran, Westchester DA Susan Cacace speaks out on why the aide avoided prison and reveals new legislative plans to mandate cameras and strengthen background checks at New York care facilities.
More Stories
In her first interview since a health aide pleaded guilty to assaulting a disabled Gulf War veteran, Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace revealed a new push for statewide legislation to mandate security cameras in care facilities.
"These things happen in these facilities, and it's not until something like this happens where a light is shone on it," says Cacace.
The hidden camera footage, which was first seen on News 12, shows Matthew Cox grabbing veteran Albert O'Toole by the neck, striking him and hitting him with a broom at a state-run facility in Montrose.
The assault at the veterans home in Montrose was secretly recorded by O'Toole's wife, Angela Sangro.
Cacace's initial reaction to the video? "It makes you cringe," she says.
Cox pleaded guilty last week to endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and was placed on one year of interim probation, avoiding jail time.
Cacace explained that the video didn't capture the entire incident, leaving prosecutors concerned about proving their case at trial.
"Despite the egregious nature of the conduct, we didn't feel that we were able to meet every element of those of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt," she says.
When asked if Cox would have faced charges without Sangro's hidden camera, Cacace acknowledged, "Probably not. Sad to say. Probably not."
Cacace met with Sangro this week to explain the plea and why probation still carries consequences.
"He's required to many, many conditions of probation that he has to abide by, so it's not a slap on the wrist," she says.
Cacace is also looking beyond this case - revealing for the first time her plans to push for legislation requiring cameras in all facilities across New York caring for vulnerable children and adults, including bedrooms when requested by guardians.
"If you had a camera in a facility such as this, then you have protection and accountability. Protection for the victim and accountability for the offender," she says.
She's also created a new task force, bringing together her office, the justice center, law enforcement and state lawmakers to turn those proposals into law.
Rosenblum also discussed another gap exposed by the Turn To Tara investigation - an out-of-state criminal conviction in Cox's past that his background check failed to flag.
"I don't think they're thorough enough," said Cacace.
Cacace says she wants stronger safeguards, so protecting vulnerable patients doesn't depend on a family secretly installing a camera.
RELATED: Turn To Tara investigation into alleged abuse at NY veterans home sparks federal action
RELATED: Health aide pleads guilty to endangering welfare of disabled vet at state-run facility
RELATED: New safeguards announced at veterans home following Turn To Tara investigation
