Two workers at an Iowa care facility are facing criminal charges after authorities say they confined adults with special needs to a basement and withheld their prescribed medications for months.
Praise Gahn, 22, and Zarkpa Green, 44, allegedly used a metal bar to barricade a basement door at a Balance Autism group home in Polk County, trapping residents inside, according to a criminal complaint. Both women were booked into the Polk County Jail last week, each facing charges of dependent adult abuse and wanton neglect of a dependent adult, both serious misdemeanors.
Investigators say the mistreatment took place between March and May this year, while Gahn and Green were responsible for the residents’ daily care. During that period, the two are accused of repeatedly failing to give the adults their prescribed medications and locking them away from the rest of the home.
Balance Autism, the nonprofit that runs the facility, markets itself as a provider of specialized autism therapy built on compassion and evidence-based care. Its website describes a mission to help people with autism reach “real-world goals” through a blend of scientific methods and personalized support.
The case came to light after the Altoona Police Department launched an investigation, which included an internal review of the home’s medication logs. That audit reportedly turned up multiple discrepancies, including instances where medication had not been dispensed to residents at all.
During questioning, Gahn reportedly acknowledged to investigators that she had not administered the required medications to the victims, according to police statements shared with WHO-TV.
Balance Autism did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend.
Gahn is due back in court on Aug. 19. Green’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21.