A disturbing case from New York has raised serious concerns about child safety after a home health aide was accused of abusing a young child with special needs. The incident, reportedly caught on camera, has left parents shaken and has sparked conversations about trust, monitoring, and accountability in in-home care services.
Nurse arrested after alleged abuse caught on camera
Suffolk County Police confirmed the arrest of 31-year-old Bruno Valenzuela on Thursday, January 15. Authorities said he was taken into custody after video footage allegedly showed him slapping a disabled child while the child was under his care at a home in Port Jefferson.
The incident reportedly took place on December 20, 2025. The child, a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was receiving care from Valenzuela as part of in-home nursing support. Police allege that during this time, Valenzuela aggressively struck the child on his back and chest, leaving visible bruises.
Valenzuela was employed by Christian Nursing Registry, an agency based in Smithtown, at the time of the alleged incident.
Parents noticed warning signs before checking cameras
According to reports, the child’s parents became concerned after noticing bruises on their son’s body and a change in his behaviour whenever Valenzuela was around. These concerns led them to review footage from their home security cameras.
What they reportedly found was deeply troubling. Local media outlets, including News 12 Long Island and FOX 5 NY, reported that the video appeared to show Valenzuela striking the crying child multiple times. The footage allegedly showed the child lying on his back while being hit on the chest, causing his body to shake. The child’s cries reportedly became louder during the incident.
The video also captured Valenzuela repeatedly telling the child to “relax” while the child continued to cry. The family later took the child to Stony Brook University Hospital for medical care and filed a police report two days after the incident, on December 22.
Police investigation and charges filed
After receiving the report, Suffolk County Police Special Victims Unit detectives launched an investigation. Following their review of the evidence, including the video footage, they arrested Valenzuela.
He has been charged with:
- Endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person (a felony)
- Endangering the welfare of a child
Police confirmed that Valenzuela spent the night in custody after his arrest. During his arraignment on Friday, he pleaded not guilty to both charges. Court records indicate that he was later released under non-monetary conditions while the case proceeds.
Employment terminated and agency responds
Christian Nursing Registry confirmed that Valenzuela is no longer employed with them. A spokesperson for the agency stated that his documents were up to date, including background checks, and that he had worked with the family for about three and a half years without any previous complaints.
The agency’s director, Camille Harlow, told local media that Valenzuela had been viewed as “like part of the family” and that earlier video reviews reportedly did not show concerning behaviour. She suggested that the agency believes this may have been a one-time incident, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Despite the agency’s comments, the case has raised serious concerns among parents who rely on in-home caregivers, especially for children with special needs who may not be able to speak up for themselves.
Community concern and call for other potential victims
Detectives are now asking anyone who believes a family member may have been harmed by Valenzuela to contact the Suffolk County Police Special Victims Section. This step is important in case there are other victims who have not yet come forward.
Cases like this often highlight the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and adults. They also underline why families are encouraged to trust their instincts if something feels wrong and to use available tools, such as monitoring systems, when possible.
Why this case matters for families everywhere
This incident is not just about one family or one caregiver. It serves as a reminder that:
- Children with disabilities are especially vulnerable
- Behaviour changes can be an important warning sign
- Parents and guardians should feel empowered to ask questions
- Agencies must maintain strong oversight and accountability
Many families depend on professional caregivers so they can work, rest, and manage daily life. That trust is deeply personal, and when it is broken, the emotional impact can be severe.
