Two Iowa therapy workers have been charged with allegedly trapping adults with special needs in a basement of a home operated by a local nonprofit and refusing to give them their prescribed medications, according to police and court records.
Background
Praise Gahn, 22, and Zarkpa Green, 44, worked for Balance Autism, a Polk County-based nonprofit that describes itself as a leading autism service organization providing therapy and care for individuals with autism. The alleged incidents occurred between March and May when the two women were responsible for the care of vulnerable adults at a residence operated by the organization.
The Altoona Police Department was alerted to potential abuse at the home, prompting an investigation that included an internal audit of medication records. According to documents obtained by local NBC affiliate WHO and CBS affiliate KCCI, investigators found multiple medication errors attributed to Gahn and Green, including medications never dispensed to the victims under their care.
The Investigation
Police say the two women used a metal bar to barricade the adults inside the basement of the home, effectively trapping them. During an interview with investigators, Gahn admitted that she had not administered medication to the victims as prescribed, according to police statements reported by WHO.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested both women and they were booked into the Polk County Jail last week. Court records reviewed by Law&Crime show Gahn and Green each face one count of dependent adult abuse – serious misdemeanor and one count of wanton neglect of a dependent adult – serious misdemeanor.
Balance Autism, which did not respond to requests for comment, states on its website that it develops and implements innovative solutions to engage people with autism, striving to balance science with imagination and research with compassion.
Key Takeaways
- Praise Gahn, 22, and Zarkpa Green, 44, charged with dependent adult abuse and wanton neglect of a dependent adult in Polk County, Iowa
- Allegedly locked adults with special needs in basement using metal bar to barricade the door
- Accused of repeatedly withholding prescribed medications from vulnerable victims over approximately two-month period
- Internal medication audit revealed multiple dispensing errors by the two charged women
- Balance Autism, a nonprofit autism services organization, operated the home where alleged abuse occurred
What's Next
Gahn is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 19 for her next hearing. Green has a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 21. Both women remain out of custody as they await resolution of the misdemeanor charges. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected.