Trumbull, Conn. – A horrifying incident unfolded at a vocational rehabilitation program in Trumbull on Tuesday as a non-verbal special needs student was viciously attacked by a worker identified as Andre Dickens, 53, from Waterbury. Dickens, who was employed by ICES, a program that supports adults with disabilities, now faces a charge of assault of a disabled/intellectually disabled person in the second degree, according to the Trumbull Police Department.
The assault occurred at a school on 12 Cambridge Drive in Trumbull, where Dickens, who worked as a direct support professional at ICES, proceeded to beat the 41-year-old student with a metal cane. The victim, who was sitting in a bean bag at the time, suffered lacerations and facial injuries from the attack.
Initially, Dickens claimed that the student had tripped and fallen, resulting in their injuries, but further investigation including video recordings of the incident contradicted his claims. Chet Doheny, Executive Director and Chairman of ICES, expressed outrage over the incident, stating that the safety and well-being of their residents and program participants is their top priority.
Dickens is expected to appear at Bridgeport Superior Court on July 16 to face charges for the assault. ICES has placed Dickens and three others on unpaid administrative leave, while promising to cooperate fully with authorities to ensure justice is served. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
