Caretakers are accused of forcing a mentally disabled man to stand barefoot on a fire ant hill

Written by
Laura Kadechka

Plant City, Florida - A group home where caretakers are accused of forcing a mentally disabled man to stand barefoot on a fire ant hill has been shut down for the time being.

Melanie Etters with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities tells 10 News an emergency suspension of the facility's license was ordered Thursday night. It is operated by Florida MENTOR.

Etters says the four people who were staying in the home were moved to other group home facilities the same night.

The group home, Ike Smith Group Home, has been licensed since 2008.

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies arrested caretaker, 21-year-old Quentin Shunell Amos on Tuesday, accusing him of abuse on a disabled adult. Amos has since bonded out of jail.

Deputies say Amos made the 21-year-old man stand and place his hands in the ant bed as punishment for stealing money from another employee of the facility.

The home's manager found out about the incident and reported it to the Department of Children and Families. DCF and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are continuing an investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/210973/250/Group-homes-license-suspended-after-abuse-allegations