Disabled Patient Abused By NJ Care Worker, Authorities Say

UNION TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 63-year-old state employee was arrested for assaulting a patient with disabilities at a state institution, said New Jersey Human Services spokesman Tom Hester.

Jocelyne Dorrielan, of Irvington, was arrested and charged on March 20 with fourth-degree assault upon an institutionalized elderly person; endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, a disorderly persons offense; and offensive touching, a petty disorderly persons offense.

Dorrielan is listed in public payroll records as a cottage training technician at the facility in Union Township.

According to state records, theses technicians reports on patient's/resident's behavior and treatment related issues of a non-medical nature between shifts as well as mentor individual residents under the incumbent's care and implements assigned physical care, recreation, resident self-help, social training, and other programs.

The charges stem from an allegation of abuse witnessed by another staff person on Feb. 11 at Hunterdon Developmental Center(HDC), 40 Pittstown Road, Clinton, according to Hester.

The resident reportedly suffered a minor injury, which Hester said is described as "an injury that requires no treatment beyond basic first aid administered by a medical professional or service provider. Basic first aid includes, but is not limited to, cleaning, bandage/ band-aid, over-the-counter medications (Bacitracin), ice pack, monitoring/observation."

Hunterdon Developmental Center contacted the New Jersey Human Services Police about the allegation of abuse and immediately placed Dorrielan off duty.

Investigators questioned Dorrielan before she was ultimately arrested and processed.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing.

The Department's Office of Program Integrity and Accountability's Office of Investigations is responsible for conducting a civil investigation, which remains ongoing.

The department said no further information is available about the ongoing investigation or employee disciplinary actions at this time.

"The department is fully committed to keeping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities safe, respected, and supported. It takes any report of abuse or neglect very seriously, follows a strict zero-tolerance approach, and looks into every situation thoroughly," stated Hester. "It also works hard to stay accountable and keep improving so it can better protect and support the people it serves."

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