Dutchess County Man Charged with Endangering the Welfare of Disabled Man

Police say a Dutchess County man who works at a Disabilities Services Office slapped a mentally handicapped person.

Monday, New York State Police from Dover Plains charged 60-year-old Leon Nicalek, of Poughkeepsie, with endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a class A misdemeanor.

Sunday authorities responded to the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office located on Sinpatch Road to investigate the report of a staff member striking a client.

Police say an investigation revealed that Nicalek became frustrated with a mentally handicapped man and then allegedly slapped the man in the head. The man was not injured.

Nicalek was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear before the Town of Amenia Court on June 7.