Caregivers Charged with Assault After Alleged Abuse During Developmental Center Outing

Burke County --  Two staff members employed by the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center are facing charges after allegedly assaulting two residents with intellectual disabilities during a supervised outing to a local park last week.

 The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has led to felony and misdemeanor assault charges against the caregivers.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation after receiving reports of the alleged assaults. According to authorities, the staff and residents of the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, a state-run facility serving adults with intellectual disabilities, were at Spring Park in eastern Burke County for a recreational activity when the incidents took place.

Witness accounts and surveillance video from the park played a crucial role in the ongoing investigation. Warrants indicate that one of the accused, Benny Edward Brice IV, 32, a staff member from Morganton, is alleged to have choked a resident and shoved them into a fence. Brice is also accused of kicking another resident off a picnic table, causing a broken bone. He has been charged with felony assault on an individual with a disability.

The second staff member, Zolio Collado Jr., 56, from Valdese, faces a misdemeanor charge of assault on an individual with a disability in connection with the same outing.

Both Brice and Collado were arrested following the investigation. Brice received a $50,000 secured bond and had a court appearance scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2025. Collado was given a $20,000 secured bond, with a court date set for August 18, 2025. Both employees have been placed on leave by the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center as the investigation continues.

The J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center is managed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, providing essential care and support to a vulnerable population. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of residents in such facilities and the oversight of staff during supervised activities.

Authorities have not released further details regarding the specific injuries sustained by the residents, but the severity of the alleged actions has prompted a thorough legal process. The community awaits further developments as the case proceeds through the courts.

Editor's Note: A  criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of la

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