Allegheny County police say a caregiver hired to help transport special-needs students is now facing criminal charges after surveillance video allegedly showed her using force on a 21-year-old non-verbal man in her care. The incident reportedly happened on May 5 inside a school transport van taking the man from his home in McCandless to the Watson Institute in Sewickley.
Police have charged the caregiver, Denese Hendon, with neglect and abuse of a dependent person. A judge released her on her own recognizance ahead of a preliminary hearing set for June 10.
Video shows alleged force on May 5
According to investigators, surveillance footage from inside the van captures a series of troubling moments involving Hendon and the student, as reported by CBS Pittsburgh.
Police say the video shows Hendon pulling the student's head back by his shirt collar and pushing him into his seat with her wrist pressed against his neck. Later, she is allegedly seen forcing a safety helmet onto his head and holding him down by the chin strap for nearly six minutes.
Investigators also say the video appears to show Hendon forcefully taking a water bottle from the man and placing it in a cupholder. The van driver told police that Hendon described the student as "spoiled" and suggested his family should work on his independence.
Agency and school district responses
Allegheny County police say Hendon was contracted through ProCare Therapy to work routes serving the North Allegheny School District. The Watson Institute stated that it is "cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities," according to CBS Pittsburgh.
In a statement to the station, the district said it "has no further comment… other than to note that Hendon was not employed by the district, and the school van was not a District‑owned vehicle." Hendon's attorney declined to comment, and the station reported it had not yet heard back from ProCare Therapy.
What the charges mean under state law
Hendon is charged with neglect and abuse of a dependent person, offenses that Pennsylvania law treats as crimes against care‑dependent adults. State statutes spell out the duties of providers who care for adults who rely on others for basic needs and make neglect or abuse a criminal offense, with penalties that can range from a misdemeanor to a first‑degree felony when serious bodily injury or death results, according to FindLaw.
Prosecutors will decide whether to pursue any additional charges or sentence enhancements as the investigation continues.
Restraint policies and oversight questions
Experts and federal guidelines stress that physical restraint is meant to be an emergency-only option and must never restrict breathing or be used as punishment. The U.S. Department of Education's guidance on restraint and seclusion pushes states and districts to minimize these practices, carefully document any use, and make sure staff are trained in de‑escalation and less intrusive alternatives, as noted by the U.S. Department of Education.
Cases like this tend to shine a spotlight on how contracted aides are trained and supervised and on how incidents that happen on non‑district vehicles are reported, reviewed, and communicated to families.
What happens next
Hendon is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on June 10 while the Allegheny County investigation moves forward. Prosecutors are expected to review the surveillance video, interview witnesses, and examine any medical or incident reports before deciding whether to formally pursue charges beyond the initial counts.
Families of students who depend on contracted transportation or aides say the allegations are a stark reminder of why strong oversight, clear policies, and transparent complaint procedures are not just bureaucratic details but a core part of keeping vulnerable riders safe.
