FL Group Home Employee Accused Of Abusing 2 Residents With Disabilities

CLEARWATER, FL — An employee at a group home in unincorporated Clearwater was arrested for abusing two residents with disabilities, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Travis Crayton, 27, of Largo was charged with two counts of abuse of an elderly/disabled adult.

Deputies began investigating a report that two residents at Live Oak Group Home at 2327 Curlew Ave. were battered by an employee at the home, later identified as Crayton, on May 2, the sheriff’s office said.

Both victims are men with severe cognitive disabilities. One of them is deaf and non-verbal.

Another employee at the home witnessed the incidents, investigators said.

The witness said that Crayton grabbed one victim around the head, wrapping his hands and fingers around his skull, and squeezing him, according to the sheriff’s office. He squeezed the victim for about 10 minutes before punching the man in the head twice.

After this, Crayton approached the second victim, who was lying on the couch in the living room, and placed his knee on his head, pushing him down on the couch, the agency said.

Crayton was arrested on May 7.