Caretaker charged with abuse against child with special needs

JACKSON, Tenn — Trusted to serve and help, Timothy Powell, a now former employee with A Plus Care Solutions made his first court appearance, Friday.

A video shows Powell shoving the head of a a 16-year-old special needs boy with his hand and punching him.

Police are not releasing the video due to an ongoing investigation, but Judge Blake Anderson read details of what it shows in open court. It included Powell allegedly punching and hitting the 16-year-old boy, described in court documents as having behavioral disorders and mental retardation.

“The force of the strike knocked him to his back, on the grass,” Judge Anderson said. “He didn’t attempt to fight.”

Records show the teen suffered minor swelling and bruising to the forehead, right eye and nose.

Powell is charged with child abuse and was on probation for simple possession of marijuana at the time.

The incident is said to have occurred close to the 700 building at the Northridge Apartments.

Police say the child was in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children Services and is monitored and cared for by employees of A Plus Care Solutions 24 hours a day.

The CEO of the company told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, Powell was terminated immediately after the incident and said this is a first for the company. He believes it is an isolated situation.

Powell has a $5,000 bond but remains in custody until a hearing to possibly revoke his probation.