TOLEDO, Ohio — A former caregiver employed by ViaQuest has been indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on a charge of patient endangerment in connection with the death of a disabled teenager.
Jeffery King, who had previously faced charges for failing to provide adequate care to a functionally impaired person, now faces an additional count related to the tragic death of Ethan Kleinhans. According to court records, Kleinhans, a teenager with developmental disabilities, was left unsupervised in a vehicle safety harness that was improperly sized.
The autopsy report revealed that Kleinhans died as a result of “asphyxiation due to neck compression.” The grand jury found that King’s actions created a substantial risk to Kleinhans’ health and safety while serving as his caretaker.
The indictment underscores serious concerns about the oversight and care provided to vulnerable individuals in residential and caregiving settings. Authorities have not yet released details regarding potential court dates or King’s legal representation.
ViaQuest, the company that employed King, has not made an official statement regarding the indictment or the incident.
This case raises important questions about the standards and accountability in caregiving for individuals with developmental disabilities.