Video shows alleged abuse of disabled elder by convicted teacher in New Mexico

Salomon Sanchez was hired at a disabilities group home following his conviction of abusing an autistic student in Pojoaque Elementary School in 2023

KOAT reached out to Community Options, Inc., a Developmental Disabilities Waiver group home, regarding Salomon Sanchez’s, 20, employment following the latest allegations. We asked if a thorough background check was conducted on the former teacher after he pleaded guilty to abusing a 7-year-old autistic student at Pojoaque Elementary School in 2023. Their statement is below.

“All four of the victims in these cases, none of them had the capacity to report these crimes themselves, to report that they were victims,” NMDOJ Medicaid Fraud Director Joseph Martinez told KOAT.

“We thoroughly investigated and charged them and the respective magistrate courts within a year of receiving the information. We will provide them with discovery and continue on with the legal process of either reaching a resolution or proceeding towards a trial,” Martinez said.

Allegations, 4 caregivers

Each allegation involves physical and/or verbal abuse. According to NMDOJ, they can face 6 months in prison, if convicted of charges.

• Salomon Sanchez, an employee at Community Options, Inc., a Developmental Disabilities Waiver group home in Santa Fe, was captured on video forcibly grabbing a resident, shoving the victim’s face toward a table, and refusing assistance while making degrading comments.
• Lee Carrizales, an employee at Pacifica Senior Living Facility, is charged with two counts of Abuse of a Resident for verbally assaulting two facility members. Videos of this abuse were posted on Facebook and alerted to our office by the New Mexico Department of Health.
• Linda Romero, a paid caregiver, is accused of striking a Developmentally Disabled Waiver recipient multiple times in front of several witnesses.
• Edwars D. Bonilla-Aguinada, an employee at Morningstar of Rio Rancho Assisted Living Facility, is accused of aggressively forcing an 89-year-old resident with Alzheimer’s to undergo a diaper change after an accident, disregarding her discomfort and condition.

“These charges send a clear message that abuse of vulnerable New Mexicans will not be tolerated. The treatment of our elders and residents in care facilities is a direct reflection of our values as a community,” attorney General Raúl Torrez said in Tuesday’s news release.

“When caregivers violate that trust and inflict harm, they not only hurt individuals but undermine the safety and dignity of our entire system of care. My office will use every tool at our disposal to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable and to restore trust in the care these individuals deserve,” Torrez said.

According to the criminal complaint, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office stated, “Sanchez’s reckless disregard for the autistic student’s well-being, safety and health, were not justified by holding the victim’s arms down, forcing him to the sink, holding him at the sink and forcing soap water into the victim’s mouth.”

Community Options, Inc. Statement

“Community Options is committed to providing safe and supportive housing for people with disabilities and has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse or mistreatment of any kind. We conduct all background checks as required by the State of New Mexico. Upon learning of the incident, the employee was immediately suspended and subsequently terminated based on the investigation. We are fully cooperating with authorities to ensure that justice is served.” Neomi Rivera, NM State Director

We followed up with Rivera’s response in regard to the specifics of the background and if they were aware of Sanchez’s conviction of abusing a 7-year-old autistic student at Pojoaque Elementary School in 2023 but have not heard back.