Nurse accused of assaulting child with disabilities arraigned on indictment
Valenzuela pleaded not guilty.
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The nurse accused of slapping a 5-year-old inside a Port Jefferson Station home has now been arraigned on an indictment.
The incident was caught on camera inside the home.
According to police and the family, Bruno Valenzuela, 34, was caring for 5-year-old Maverick in theboy's parents' Port Jefferson Station home on Dec. 20.
Officials said the boy started coughing and crying when Valenzuela aggressively slapped the child on his back and chest, leaving the kid with bruises.
The boy's father, Christopher Brower, said Maverick has cerebral palsy, complex medical needs, is nonverbal and non-ambulatory.
"It's been hard for us. My wife and I are very emotional still," says Brower. "Still a lot that we have to deal with on a daily basis. Different emotions and getting past things and getting used to things again."
On Thursday, Valenzuela was arraigned on an indictment for endangering the welfare child and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.
Valenzuela pleaded not guilty.
"This is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," says Valenzuela's attorney Todd Spodek in a statement. "Mr. Valenzuela has served as a committed nurse for more than four years, caring for patients and supporting his community. He has pleaded not guilty to the indictment, and we ask that the public allow the legal process to proceed in a fair and orderly manner."
The charges Valenzuela is facing are not cash bail eligible, meaning he cannot be held behind bars.
The boy's family says they're just trying to go back to normal but it's been tough.
"It's hard to, to trust people. It's hard to get back into a rhythm and feel comfortable with people," says Brower.
