Published On: September 21st, 2019Categories: Uncategorized


A group home worker is accused of letting a man with Down syndrome die in a hot van.WFTS reports Joshua Russell, with Crossroads of Pinellas in Florida, was driving 35-year-old John Lapointe back to the group home.The incident happened back in May. Russell, 26, stopped at his home on the way back from Lapointe’s doctor visit. He left Lapointe in the van, according to authorities.While inside his home, Russell took kratom to feel “more alert,” he later told authorities.He then continued to drive back to the group home. WTSP reports Russell felt tired and nauseated during the drive. He parked the van, turned it off and took a nap.Russell woke up sweating and noticed Lapointe was not breathing, according to WFTS. He attempted CPR but was unsuccessful.Russell called his mother and told her he was going to kill himself. He was armed and said he was upset after realizing what happened. His mother told him not to kill himself. She called police.First responders arrived and pronounced Lapointe dead. Police said the van was 125 degrees inside at the time of Lapointe’s death.”Remember, Mr. Lapointe’s 35 years old, but he’s non-verbal and can’t care for himself and has the cognitive ability of a 1-year-old, so as he was sitting in there and that van got extremely hot, there was nothing he could do,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said to Bay News 9. “He couldn’t try to wake up Russell. He couldn’t do anything to help himself.”Police were able to locate Russell, who had left the area, and placed him in custody.He is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a disabled adult.Crossroads of Pinellas did not respond to request for comment by WFTS.

A group home worker is accused of letting a man with Down syndrome die in a hot van.

WFTS reports Joshua Russell, with Crossroads of Pinellas in Florida, was driving 35-year-old John Lapointe back to the group home.

The incident happened back in May. Russell, 26, stopped at his home on the way back from Lapointe’s doctor visit. He left Lapointe in the van, according to authorities.

While inside his home, Russell took kratom to feel “more alert,” he later told authorities.

He then continued to drive back to the group home.

WTSP reports Russell felt tired and nauseated during the drive. He parked the van, turned it off and took a nap.

Russell woke up sweating and noticed Lapointe was not breathing, according to WFTS. He attempted CPR but was unsuccessful.

Russell called his mother and told her he was going to kill himself. He was armed and said he was upset after realizing what happened.

His mother told him not to kill himself. She called police.

First responders arrived and pronounced Lapointe dead. Police said the van was 125 degrees inside at the time of Lapointe’s death.

“Remember, Mr. Lapointe’s 35 years old, but he’s non-verbal and can’t care for himself and has the cognitive ability of a 1-year-old, so as he was sitting in there and that van got extremely hot, there was nothing he could do,” Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said to Bay News 9. “He couldn’t try to wake up Russell. He couldn’t do anything to help himself.”

Police were able to locate Russell, who had left the area, and placed him in custody.

He is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a disabled adult.

Crossroads of Pinellas did not respond to request for comment by WFTS.


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