Man accused of putting cigarette out on patient’s arm: Report

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CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) — A group home supervisor is facing charges of patient abuse after he put a cigarette out on a man’s arm, according to police reports.

Police were called to a group home on the double-digit block of Skyline Drive on June 29 for reports that a patient had been assaulted. Reports state the victim, who is in a wheelchair, was in the driveway of the home smoking when Banjo Akande — a supervisor of the group home — yelled at him for smoking before extinguishing the cigarette on his arm.

Reports state Akande asked the victim, “Did that hurt?” to which the victim swore and replied, “Yes.”

The incident was reported to another supervisor, who said that when she confronted Akande, he did not deny the accusation that he burned the victim.

Police reports detailed the following conversation between the supervisor and Akande:

Supervisor: “Why would you do that?”
Akande: “[The victim] shouldn’t have been smoking.”
Supervisor: “You’re admitting you did this?”
Akande: “I’m not denying it.”

Police spoke to Akande and requested his side of the story. Reports state Akande confirmed to police that he extinguished the cigarette on the victim’s arm, claiming that it was a joke and not a reaction of anger.

The victim told police he sought medical treatment for the burn and was told it was healing appropriately.

On July 2, police filed a warrant for Akande on the felony charges of patient abuse and assault on a functionally impaired person. Akande turned himself in on the warrant on July 5.

Akande was arraigned and is set to return to court July 26 for a preliminary hearing.

Reports state Akande has been suspended by the group home until further notice.

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