A Phoenix caregiver is facing a felony charge after prosecutors say he gagged a nonverbal man with cerebral palsy at a group home, leaving the resident with abrasions and ligature marks. Mark Sampson, 47, was arrested on June 24, and the Arizona Attorney General's Office filed charges on June 26 alleging child or vulnerable adult abuse under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury. A judge set a $25,000 secured bond, and Sampson is now on administrative leave from his job with the City of Phoenix while the case moves forward.
Allegations and arrest
According to court paperwork, Sampson allegedly entered the man’s room around midnight on March 18 and stayed there until about 5:45 a.m. on March 19, when he left to care for another patient. Later, two other caregivers went to check on the resident and found a washcloth shoved into his mouth and two socks tied together and wrapped around his head. Photos taken at the scene show red marks, abrasions and ligature marks, and prosecutors say the gag impeded his breathing.
"This is an incredibly egregious violation of human dignity and the law," Assistant Attorney General Ryan Dill told the court, as reported by ABC15.
Victim and discovery
Court records describe the alleged victim as nonverbal and non-ambulatory, with contracted arms that left him unable to remove the gag or call for help. One caregiver photographed the man after he was found, and he was transported to a hospital. According to the paperwork, he was not found to have other serious internal injuries but did suffer abrasions inside and around his mouth and ligature marks on his neck.
Charges, penalties and next steps
Sampson is charged with one count of child or vulnerable adult abuse under circumstances likely to produce death or serious physical injury, a Class 2 felony under Arizona law (A.R.S. §13-3623). That level of charge can carry significant prison time if a court finds the conduct was intentional or knowing. The Arizona Attorney General's Office is prosecuting the case, and a judge set Sampson's $25,000 secured bond, as reported by ABC15.
Protections and reporting
Arizona law defines who qualifies as a vulnerable adult and gives Adult Protective Services the authority to receive and investigate reports of abuse. That program is run by the state's Department of Economic Security. Anyone who suspects abuse of a person who cannot protect themselves can contact local law enforcement or Arizona DES's Adult Protective Services to request an investigation and support (Arizona DES).
