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Carey's former caregiver speaks out
February 18, 2007
By Sumi Somaskanda
 Mia
Wirth Mia Wirth "I was completely shocked. Completely," said Mia
Wirth.
That was her response to the news
that 13-year-old Jonathan Carey had died. Wirth worked as the boy's
caregiver 6 years ago as an Albany County respite worker and now she
wants to reach out to the Carey family.
"I'm very sad for them. I would
hate to lose my 13-year-old," said Wirth.
WATCH VIDEO More Information
Former caregiver voices opinion
A former caregiver for Jonathan
Carey is speaking out. The Delmar woman says she was a respite
worker for the 13-year-old boy when he was only eight. Carey died
Thursday night after he was physically restrained by two aides from
a local developmental center. Our Sumi Somaskanda has her reaction
to the tragedy.
Carey died after an aide from the
O.D. Heck Developmental Center restrained him. Edwin Tirado and
another aide, Nadeem Mall, are charged with manslaughter. Police say
the men waited more than an hour to get help after restraining the
autistic child--who the aides say was acting out.
"The Jonathan I knew was never like
that. He loved hugs, he loved to sit next to you and read a book. He
was very caring," said Wirth.
That is why Wirth can't understand
how this whole incident started in the first place. The Carey family
is already fighting the state over claims of abuse at their son's
last facility in Duchess county. The family is demanding the
facility release its records since Jonathan is non-verbal, and
Senator Bruno wants to help the Careys.
"The people over there are trained
and that they're adequately there for the people in their care
because something like this shouldn't happen once," said Senate
Majority Leader Joe Bruno.
And Wirth agrees. She says she
knows of O.D. Heck and she can't understand what happened.
"It's not right. That's my only
real response really. To hurt a child is not right," said Wirth.
Wirth says she hadn't seen Jonathan
carey in years--but she's still touched by his memory.
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