Bedline Belrice, 31, a former employee at Crystal Springs, a special education school and adult residential center for individuals with disabilities in Fall River, has been fired and is facing criminal charges after authorities say video captured her assaulting a disabled woman.
According to a police report, the video shows Belrice kneeing the woman, who has autism, once before looking around and striking her in the back two more times with what investigators described as “sufficient force,” causing the victim’s weight to shift forward.
Police allege Belrice then grabbed the victim under her arms, dragged her for approximately eight steps, and dropped her onto the ground. Investigators noted in the report that had the victim not stopped her own fall, she could have struck her face on the concrete.
The report further states that Belrice left the woman sitting in the sun while she went to sit in the shade.
The victim was transported to Saint Anne’s Hospital, where doctors documented bruising on her back that was consistent with the reported knee strikes.
When interviewed by responding officers after they reviewed the video footage, Belrice allegedly told police the victim “was not being compliant.” According to the report, Belrice said she “did not knee her in a malicious way” and that the knee strikes “were only to get her attention.”
Belrice has been charged with assault and battery on a disabled person and assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability.
Crystal Springs terminated Belrice’s employment following the incident. Court records show she is scheduled to be arraigned in Fall River District Court on August 5.
Link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1611192894353936
