CW: Abuse
A recent case from Suffolk County, New York, has gained significant attention after a home health nurse was arrested for allegedly assaulting a five-year-old child with disabilities. According to police and various news reports, the incident was recorded on surveillance video inside the family’s home, leading to the arrest of 34-year-old Bruno Valenzuela.
The child, Maverick, has cerebral palsy. He is nonverbal, cannot walk, and needs around the clock care. Valenzuela had been working with the family for about three years, providing in-home care for the boy. On December 20, Maverick began coughing and crying. Subsequently, the nurse was allegedly seen on video aggressively slapping him on the back and chest, causing visible bruises.
Two days later, the family took Maverick to Stony Brook University Hospital. They subsequently filed a police report. Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit started an investigation soon after. Valenzuela was arrested on January 15 and pleaded not guilty, as stated in the police report.
Sadly, disabled people often fall victim to violence. A 2021 report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that between 2009 and 2019, the rate of violent crimes against disabled people was 46.2 per 1,000, which is about four times the rate for non-disabled people, who experienced 12.3 per 1,000.
These numbers show how vulnerable disabled people, particularly those who are nonverbal or fragile, can be. Parents of disabled children often count on nurses and aides to provide specialized care and help the child remain at home.
When children are abused, the impact goes beyond the immediate injury. This incident reveals the vulnerability of nonverbal children, the difficulties of monitoring in-home care, and the emotional toll on families who have to rely on outside caregivers.
It also raises larger questions about oversight in home health. Many families have resorted to using security cameras as a safety measure, driven by necessity rather than suspicion. This case shows why some people feel they must take such steps. It also shows why there is a need to document concerns, trust instincts when something seems off, and report issues quickly so authorities can take action.
Ultimately, the case serves as a stark reminder that protecting disabled people requires constant vigilance, stronger oversight, and a commitment to ensuring that those entrusted with their care are held accountable for their actions.
Sources:
Bisram, Jennifer. “Nanny Cam Video Shows Long Island Nurse Hitting 6‑Year‑Old with Disabilities.” CBS News New York, CBS Broadcasting Inc., 16 Jan. 2026, https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nurse-hits-child-with-disabilities-long-island/..
Harrell, Erika. “Crime against Persons with Disabilities, 2009–2019 – Statistical Tables.” The Bureau of Justice Statistics, The Bureau of Justice Statistics, 4 Nov. 2021, bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/crime-against-persons-disabilities-2009-2019-statistical-tables.