By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
Following an investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit, a home healthcare nurse was arrested after disturbing video evidence revealed he repeatedly physically abused a disabled patient.
On February 8, deputies responded to a Palm Coast residence following a report of a battery. The reporting party advised that the victim was a disabled adult whose condition left them without the ability to speak or walk. As such, the victim requires constant care from a nurse.
According to the reporting party, she first overheard the victim’s weekend nurse, John Jenkins, 68, of Daytona Beach, Florida, becoming verbally aggressive towards the victim earlier that day. When she confronted Jenkins, he apologized. The reporting party told deputies that she had a “gut feeling” and reviewed footage from an in-home camera feed placed in the living room. While watching the camera feed, she observed Jenkins hitting and kicking the victim multiple times, leading her to confront Jenkins and ordering him to leave the residence.
Deputies reviewed the footage and saw Jenkins forcibly kick and strike the victim with an iPad. The victim, due to their condition, was unable to report the abuse or defend themselves. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and opened an investigation into the incident.
The next day, the reporting party reached back out to deputies, stating that after discovering the initial video they went back and reviewed other footage, finding over 25 other instances of Jenkins physically and verbally abusing the victim over the previous week. In the videos, Jenkins could be seen sitting on the victim, throwing items at the victim, punching the victim, and shoving the victim’s head into the ground, among other instances of abuse.
The FCSO Major Case Unit was assigned the case to investigate, which was led by Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon.
On February 19, DFC Gordon obtained a warrant for Jenkins’ arrest for four counts of Abuse of a Disabled Adult and began coordinating with the Daytona Beach Police Department to take Jenkins into custody. On February 21, Jenkins was arrested by DBPD at his residence. He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he was later released on a $40,000 bond.
John Jenkins (Volusia County Jail Mugshot)
“This is a tragic and sickening case of abuse, where a vulnerable adult was taken advantage of by someone entrusted with their care,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “We are grateful to the family member who had the foresight to place cameras inside the home, and then quickly reported the ongoing abuse of a disabled adult. Most home healthcare aides and nurses do a great and loving job providing care, but this case highlights the importance of being vigilant about the care your loved ones receive, especially those who cannot speak for themselves.
“I also commend our deputies and Major Case detectives for their diligence in this investigation, as well as our partners at the Daytona Beach Police Department for their assistance in taking this monster into custody,” Sheriff Staly added.
