Caretaker allegedly assaults autistic patient

An in-home camera feed revealed a caretaker was physically abusing one of his patients, according to Des Moines police.

Benjamin Songol, 30, was arrested late Sunday night on a charge of wanton neglect of a dependent adult. He has since been released from the Polk County Jail.

According to a police report, Songol was seen physically harming a 20-year-old patient who requires 24-hour care. The patient has the mental capacity of a two-year-old and is non-verbal, the report says.

The patient's aunt, who is his legal guardian, told police she set up a camera in her living room with access to the footage from her iPad. She was looking at footage from earlier in the day when she witnessed Songol allegedly slap her nephew and push him down on the couch.

Police reported when they viewed the footage they could also hear the sound of slapping off camera several times.

"At one point (the patient) is standing near the edge of the screen and has both hands down at his sides. A hand comes into the frame and slaps (the patient)," the police report says. "The force of the slap knocks (the patient) onto the couch."

Police said the patient's face was red when they arrived to take the report.

Songol works for The Homestead, an organization that serves the needs of people with autism. Steve Muller, chief executive officer, said Songol has been suspended as the organization conducts an independent investigation.

"We take all of our services very seriously and we want to do the right thing for the people we support," he said.

The police report says Songol denied harming the patient, but stopped talking to police once they revealed they had video evidence.