FORMER CARE PROVIDER CHARGED WITH NEGLECT AND
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF A VULNERABLE ADULT

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that a former respite care provider for The Chimes, Inc. was charged with multiple counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult and reckless endangerment, as well as assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult, in relation to his treatment of a developmentally disabled adult in his care.

Lafenus Donnell Taylor, 34, of the 3000 block of Spaulding Avenue in Baltimore, was charged by criminal information with four counts of reckless endangerment and five counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, and one count each of second degree assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult. Reckless endangerment is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Intentional abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Second degree assault is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $2,500.

A $500 cash bail has been set for Taylor.

A criminal information is an accusation, and all persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which has authority to prosecute abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons in facilities that receive Medicaid funds.

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