9 Staffers Charged With Abusing Patient At Whiting Forensic: State Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Nine staff members at the Whiting Forensic Division of the Connecticut Valley Hospital have been arrested so far in connection to the abuse of a patient, according to Connecticut State Police. The investigation is ongoing and police expect additional arrests to be made in the case. The Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, along with the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services Police began executing arrest warrants for staff members at the hospital, located at 70 O’Brien Drive in Middletown, on Tuesday.

Police said that after the abuse was discovered, the patient was relocated and the identified staff members were placed on administrative leave.

The following have been arrested as of Tuesday night:

(Pictured: Carl Benjamin, 39, of Hamden)

Carl Benjamin, 39, of Hamden, was charged with six counts of cruelty to persons and six counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $75,000 bond and is due in Middletown Superior Court on Sept. 7.

(Pictured: Mark Cusson, 49, of Southington)

Mark Cusson, 49, of Southington, was charged with eight counts of cruelty to persons and eight counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $75,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 7.

(Pictured: Gregory Giantonio, 43, of Deep River)

Gregory Giantonio, 43, of Deep River, was charged with three counts of cruelty to persons and three counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $75,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 6.

Clayton Davis, 48, of Hartford, was charged with five counts of cruelty of persons and five counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $25,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 7.

Bruce Holt, 39, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of cruelty to persons and two counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 7.

Robert Larned, 45, of Hebron, was charged with five counts of cruelty to persons and five counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $25,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 7.

Willie Bethea, 45, of Middletown, was charged with two counts of cruelty to persons and two counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $25,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 7.

Seth Quider, 34, of Enfield, was charged with six counts of cruelty to persons and six counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $75,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 5.

Lance Camby, 48, of New Britain, was charged with five counts of cruelty to persons and five counts of disorderly conduct. He was issued a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 7.

The Hartford Courant reports that 31 mental-health workers, including two managers, were suspended through the spring and summer in connection to the patient abuse investigation at the maximum security Whiting Forensic Division where most of its patients have been acquitted of crimes by reason of insanity.

This story will be updated when more information is available.

Photos via Connecticut State Police