By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
A Hays woman was arrested following an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of a dependent adult.
The Hays Police Department received a report on Sept. 9 concerning an incident that allegedly occurred Sept. 5 in the 1700 block of Volga Drive.
Lara Amber Moody, 50, of Hays, was arrested on suspicion of mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person while the victim was a resident of a care home, said Don Scheibler, Hays Police Chief.
Scheibler said the victim, a 43-year-old Hays resident and client of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, was allegedly being held on a couch by a caretaker who was attempting to calm him.
The investigation found the victim was allegedly pushed onto a couch and then on to the floor, Scheibler said.
“When he got down on the ground, the client, she kicked him,” Scheibler said.
Scheibler said the victim was touched in a rude and angry manner multiple times. The victim was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.
Jerry Michaud, DSNWK president, said, "People are presumed to be innocent until there is evidence to contrast that. That's why we have safeguards to cooperate."
Michaud said one of those safeguards is to suspend anyone who is under investigation.
"Anyone who is under accusation will be suspended from their job duties while we work through things with law enforcement," Michaud said.
However, Michaud did not answer directly if Moody was still employed by DSNWK or had been suspended.
Michaud also said any situation involving the mistreatment of one of the people they support will not be taken lightly.
"Any allegations that relate to treatment of a person we support, of course we treat every one of those cases very seriously," Michaud said. “We ensure everyone is healthy and safe and do not tolerate any mistreatment of people."