Caretaker arrested in alleged abuse

A 32-year-old Yerington man, accused of knocking out the tooth of a 21-year-old man with cerebral palsy, was arrested Tuesday at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Barry E. Paulison is charged with abuse of a vulnerable person, a gross misdemeanor. He posted $5,000 bail and is to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Feb. 7.

According to the complaint filed Tuesday, Paulison is accused of hitting, striking, punching and using force and violence against the 21-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos resident who is wheelchair-bound.

Paulison had been hired as temporary help for the alleged victim through a state respite care program which provides full-time caretakers a few hours' break from their daily routine.

The victim's parents said Paulison took their son to Burger King and Silver Strike Bowling Alley on Dec. 20 and returned about five hours later.

Paulison got the victim ready for bed and left the residence.

As the young man's mother was giving him medicine, she noticed his face was bruised and he was missing a tooth.

She and her husband also discovered cuts and bruises on his arms and legs.

According to reports, the victim's mother said her son is at the age level of a 4-year-old and unable to defend himself or tell what happened.

She called Paulison, according to reports, but he vehemently denied hurting the 21-year-old.

The victim's parents contacted the service worker who placed Paulison. She called Douglas County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 21.

The victim was examined by an emergency room doctor who said the facial injury was definitely caused by someone or something hitting him in the face.

After lengthy interviews with Douglas County Sheriff's investigators, Paulison admitted that he struck the young man with the back of his right hand as they were driving and "may have handled him too roughly" getting him in and out of his wheelchair and the vehicle.

He said he lost his temper with the young man and didn't realize what the caregiver's job would involve.