UPDATED: Two Framingham Caretakers Arraigned on Elder Abuse Charges

A Framingham woman and man have been arraigned in Framingham District Court on charges of abusing residents at a Framingham assisted living facility, announced Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Framingham Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson today, May 8.

Damaris Diaz Escobar, 18, of  Framingham, was arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a person over sixty years of age (three counts), and photographing a person in the nude (two counts).  

Samuel Ayekple, 25, of Framingham, was arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a person over sixty years of age (two counts). 

Framingham District Court Judge Robert Greco ordered each defendant’s bail to be set at $1,000 and ordered the condition that each defendant stay away and have no contact with the victims or their families. 

The defendants’ next court date is scheduled for June 18 for a pretrial hearing.

“We allege that these defendants abused the most vulnerable among us, elderly residents who live in an Alzheimer’s unit at an assisted living facility,” said District Attorney Ryan in a press statement.  “These residents deserved to be cared for with dignity and respect and, instead, we allege the defendants subjected them to callous and inhumane mistreatment.”

According to authorities, they received information Diaz Escobar had a recording of herself on her phone abusing residents at the Emeritus At Farm Pond assisted living facility where she worked.   

It is alleged that officers obtained the phone and discovered recordings documenting abuse of two residents.  Ayekple is depicted “slap boxing” a resident, and then slapping him causing him to lose his balance. 

Diaz Escobar is depicted pushing, hitting and pinching another resident, who was partially undressed.  Diaz Escobar’s phone also contained a still photograph of a third resident in a state of partial undress.  

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutors assigned to the case are Assistant District Attorney Lisa McGovern, Chief of the Elder Abuse and Disabled Persons Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Christina Lucci. The Victim Witness Advocate is Lori Riccio.