MD Man Sentenced For Leaving Disabled Man In Stolen Van: DOJ

WASHINGTON, DC — A Prince George's County man was sentenced to jail time after a disabled man under his care was left unattended in a stolen van and later found wandering barefoot on the Capitol Beltway.

Kelly Barry, 25, of Upper Marlboro, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal negligence following the October 2022 incident and was ordered by a judge to serve 180 days in jail. The judge suspended a portion of the sentence and ordered Barry to serve 14 months of supervised probation and perform 90 hours of community service.

According to federal prosecutors, Barry was employed as a direct support professional for Rockville-based Community Options Inc., a residential facility for people with disabilities. Barry's duties included taking individuals on community outings for multiple hours a day, five days per week.

According to prosecutors, Barry provided care to a non-verbal man with autism between June and October 2022. Authorities said instead of taking the victim on outings, Barry used the Community Options van to make food deliveries with him.

On Oct. 19, 2022, prosecutors said Barry picked up the victim in the Community Options van and drove to Washington, D.C., to make food deliveries.

While making his final delivery, prosecutors said Barry exited the van and left the victim unattended. As he returned from making the delivery, Barry later told authorities a masked individual stole the van with the victim still inside.

During his initial 911 call, prosecutors said Barry did not inform authorities that the victim was in the stolen van.

More than three hours after the van was stolen, Prince George's County authorities found the victim barefoot and wandering in the middle of traffic on Interstate 495. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Federal authorities encouraged the public to provide tips and assistance to stop healthcare fraud and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. If you have information about people committing these crimes, please call the D.C. Office of the Inspector General at 202-724-TIPS.