Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A therapist trained to work specifically with autistic children is facing charges of abuse after being caught on camera assaulting one of patients.
Three year old Caeden Lowe’s parents set up a secret filming in their home, to watch therapist Stephen Jacobs, 27, after Caeden’s behaviour changed dramatically.
The footage taken of Mr Jacobs, who works as a therapist for Autism Intervention of Milwaukee shows him allegedly elbowing Caeden in the head, hitting him with pillows repeatedly and at one point headbutting him.
Mr Jacobs was one of several therapists provided for Caeden, who is severely autistic and cannot communicate with his parents.
Mrs Lowe, Caeden’s mother said:
“If we hadn’t put a video camera downstairs we would’ve never known.
It’s about my son. He deserves the therapy he was promised. And he deserves more than they gave him.
And this could be happening anywhere.”
Mr Jacobs told investigators he was studying for a college exam on his computer and does not recall assaulting the boy.