Caregiver charged with abuse

A Clovis caregiver was arrested Sunday night and charged with abusing a client.

A police report shows Terence Barela, 18, hit an ENMRSH resident on the neck and lower back with a spoon that had been left in hot water.

The resident suffered second-degree burns, according to the report.

The victim, whose name was redacted from the police report, was treated at the scene, but not transported.

Barela told officers he was “upset prior to coming to work” and that the resident — one of three who lived in the home — “started agitating him.”

Barela said he was using hot water to “break up debris left in a pan” and had placed a spoon in the pan.

When the resident began “agitating” Barela for a third time, the report said Barela picked up the spoon and hit the man “a couple of times.”

Barela was booked into Curry County jail on Sunday. He was released Monday on a $5,000 bond. He could not be reached for comment.

Attempts to speak with an ENMRSH official Monday night were not successful.

ENMRSH provides community living services and support to clients with developmental delays, intellectual and physical disabilities, according to its website.