The Christian Opportunity Center employee accused of abusing a dependent adult has not worked since the January incident.

COC Executive Director Rod Braun tells KNIA/KRLS News an investigation into an incident involving Stephanie Bricker, 37, of Lovilia began the day after it was reported, or January 9th of this year.

Braun says the organization has a zero tolerance policy for abuse or mistreatment of those they support, and Bricker was suspended pending the results of an investigation by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the Pella Police Department. He says the suspension was not a presumption of guilt, rather, it was done to keep other patients safe.

“Whenever there are questions of inappropriate behavior, we always immediately place people on suspension while we do the investigation, in the event it’s confirmed or founded, we don’t want to place other people that we serve at risk,” he says.

COC plans to renew their emphasis on staff training and mandatory reporting practices.

According to court records, Bricker is accused of spraying a dependent adult in the face with water while giving him a shower. Witnesses told law enforcement Bricker made statements to them, saying her actions were a reaction to the man screaming, and that she sprayed him again after he called her derogatory names.

Bricker faces one count of nonsupport of a dependent adult, a class D felony, and was arrested last week on a warrant.