Ex-caregiver pleads guilty to harassment
Westmoreland County prosecutors Thursday withdrew two criminal complaints filed against a worker at a Mt. Pleasant residential facility for the mentally disabled who was accused of assaulting a resident two months ago.
Instead, Adam John Kachmarek, 23, of 818 W. Smithfield St., Mt. Pleasant, pleaded guilty to a summary charge of harassment and agreed to pay $289 in costs.
Kachmarek paid $150 of the tab before leaving Norvelt District Judge Roger Eckels' office alongside family members and his attorney, Michael C. Pribanic of White Oak. He has 30 days to pay the balance.
Kachmarek maintains the alleged assault on a deaf and mentally challenged resident on April 27 at the Valley Community Services' residential facility on North Church Street never occurred.
“The charges were withdrawn primarily to make this event as least stressful as possible for all those involved. Mr. Kachmarek only agreed (to plead guilty to a citation of harassment) to put this behind him and move on,” Pribanic said.
“It never happened. In fact, when they were sitting in there in the waiting room for the hearing, the alleged victim wrote notes (to Kachmarek) saying “I miss you” and “I love you,” Pribanic said.
State police at Greensburg filed more serious charges of neglect of a care-dependent person and simple assault last month after another mentally challenged resident at the facility claimed he saw Kachmarek punch the adult male victim. Staff members then approached the victim, who is deaf, and found a bruise on his lower left side around his waist.
Staffers then used sign language to ask the resident who caused the bruise, and police said the victim identified Kachmarek.
Pribanic said two employees initially were identified by the victim.
“The line-up was faulty... that victim is always falling down. Also, instead of asking why do you have the bruise ... they asked who punched you,” Pribanic said.
Pribanic said Kachmarek, who was dismissed after the incident was reported, will not seek reinstatement..
Officials from Valley Community Services declined comment.
Paul Peirce is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-850-2860 or ppeirce@tribweb.com.
