FLORIDA — A Florida caregiver has been charged with abuse after allegedly dragging a disabled person by the hair, Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced.
Makala Malcolm allegedly dragged an adult with disabilities directly by the hair, tearing out several braids in the process, the Office of the Attorney General said in a statement.
“This is appalling. Caregivers are supposed to nurture their patients, not rip out their hair,” said Moody.
“Thankfully, my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigators and local law enforcement stopped this suspect before more harm could be done.”
Moody said the investigation by her Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed that during an altercation in a Sunrise private developmental care facility, Malcolm dragged an adult with disabilities by the hair to the point of pulling the hair out—leaving a bald spot with redness and blood on the patient’s scalp.
The Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Malcolm on one count of abuse of an elderly or disabled adult, a third-degree felony. If convicted, Malcolm potentially faces up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Attorney General Moody’s MFCU will prosecute the case through an agreement with the Office of the State Attorney, Jack Campbell, in the Second Judicial Circuit.
