Maine care worker sentenced for assaults on disabled man

In Bangor, Maine, Zachery Conners, a 26-year-old residential care worker, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a dependent person. His actions involved severe abuse of a nonverbal adult male client at the Lee Residential Care center in Hampden over a three-year period. Prosecutors described the assaults as 'grotesque and pervasive,' including waterboarding, choking, and sexual violations. Conners was part of a group of four workers accused of committing these heinous acts, which included physical and sexual abuse. The abuse came to light following investigations that began with a report of a staff member bringing a weapon to work in January 2022, followed by a report of abuse two months later. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that Lee Residential Services lost its state license due to these investigations. The department expressed deep concern over the findings and stated that they fully supported the law enforcement inquiry. Conners' former colleagues are awaiting trial on similar charges, highlighting a systemic issue within the care facility. The case raises significant questions about the oversight and protection of vulnerable individuals in residential care settings. The actions of Conners and his colleagues represent a severe breach of trust, as they were employed to safeguard the well-being of those in their care. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring and accountability in residential care facilities to prevent such abuses from occurring in the future. The community and authorities are left grappling with the implications of this case and the necessary reforms to protect dependent individuals.