NC woman accused of abusing adult with autism

A woman is behind bars because deputies say she abused an adult with autism multiple times, WITN reports.

The Craven County Sheriff’s Office said 57-year-old Patricia Howard was charged on Wednesday with five felony counts of assault on a disabled adult and two counts of communicating threats.

Deputies said on Oct. 21, they were told of a case of physical abuse involving a “severely autistic adult” at an alternative family living facility operated by Howard in her home.

Investigators say they found that there were several times when Howard physically abused the adult.

WITN is told that Howard is jailed under a $175,000 secured bond.