3 employees of Laval rehab centre for people with mental disabilities accused of assault

Three employees at arehabilitation centre for people with autism and mental disabilities in Laval are facing assault charges, including an assault with a weapon charge.

The acts are alleged to have taken place at the Louise-Vachon residence on Saint-Martin Boulevard West between September and November 2018, according to court documents filed June 12.

One of the workers is charged with two counts of assault and one assault with a weapon, while the two others each face assault charges. They are expected to appear in Lavalcourt Sept. 10.

The court documents allege the employees mistreated as many as five residents, including a minor, who have autism or mental disabilities.One of the employees is alleged to have hit a resident with a walkie-talkie.

Issues raised at centre in the past

A fourth employee has not yet been charged, but is the subject of an investigation. Two more have been put on leave pending an internal investigation.

Julie Lamarche, a spokesperson for the local health authority, said the situation is "worrying."

Lamarche said the authority would review its operations and "if we need to make it better again, we will."

In May of last year, aLa Pressereport revealedemployees at the centre had obtainedan exceptional authorization not to intervene with residents whose disabilities resulted in more aggressive behaviour, until better security measures were implemented.

According to union representative Marjolaine Aub, resources were added but "the work climate is still unhealthy."