By Tonia Rose, staff writer
Jan. 27, 2010 — Two men have escaped jail time for the abuse of a mentally challenged adult they were caring for at Community Presence in Grayson.
Earl Pelfrey, of Grayson, and Todd Gribbin, of Flatwoods, were sentenced Jan. 20 in Carter Circuit Court to one year on charges of wantonly abusing an adult, first-degree wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment, all class D felonies. According to a press release from Attorney General Jack Conway’s office, both Pelfrey and Gribbin’s sentences will be diverted for a period of five years.
They pleaded guilty Dec. 2, 2009.
The charges were in connection to the abuse of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who resided at the center. Gribbin and Pelfrey laid on the victim’s back and chest for extended periods of time.
In part of their sentencing, the two can never be employed as caregivers of vulnerable adults or children.
Both have agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigations of other Community Presences employees who allegedly were involved in the abuse.
Charges remain pending against Ira Lee Griffith, Bob Thompson, Michael Yates, Mathew Wilburn, and Regina Stephens.
