5 Sentenced For Abusing Disabled At East Brunswick Adult Daycare

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Five employees who worked at an adult day care in East Brunswick were sentenced for abusing disabled adults in their care, authorities said Friday

The employees worked at Broadway Respite and Home Care in East Brunswick and were indicted on Nov. 12, 2019 on charges including abandonment, neglect and endangering another person, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and East Brunswick Police said.

Kenitra Hicks, 36, of New Brunswick was sentenced to a three-year term of probation with a 90-day suspended term in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center after having pled guilty to one count of third-degree endangering another person.

Hugo Lorenzo, 27, of North Brunswick was convicted of one count of third-degree endangering another person for which he was sentenced to a three-year term of probation with a 90-day suspended term in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center and fined $1,000.

Janella Allen, 32, of Elizabeth was convicted of one count of disorderly persons endangering another person for which she was sentenced to a two-year term of probation and fined $500.

Kieasha Morgan, 25, of New Brunswick was sentenced to a one-year term of probation after having pled guilty to one count of disorderly persons failure to report abuse, a violation of Stephen Konminos’ Law.

Asia Lunn, 24, of New Brunswick was convicted of one count of third-degree abandonment and neglect of a disabled person for which she was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, ordered to serve 180 days in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, and fined $1,000.

According to authorities, an investigation determined that in May 2019, Hicks, Lorenzo, and Allen physically abused two severely disabled individuals who attended the adult daycare. On July 21, Hicks, Lorenzo, Allen, and Morgan were sentenced in Superior Court, authorities said.

Broadway Respite and Home Care entered into a non-prosecution agreement where the center agreed to pay a $100,000 fine and make major improvements to the training of its employees, authorities said.

“I applaud the efforts by those who successfully investigated and prosecuted this case. Their efforts gave a voice to those who fight to express themselves,” said Ciccone. “The successful conclusion of this case demonstrates the abuse and neglect of our disabled community will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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