Caretaker who beat cerebral palsy patient texted ‘I will kill her Lol' gets 2-year sentence

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man will spend two years in prison for beating and injuring a woman with cerebral palsy.

Charles Hewett was a caretaker at a clinic in Avalon Park where the beating happened.

The victim’s family said Hewett got a light sentence, and Channel 9 learned Hewett took a plea deal.

The victim was left with a broken jaw, fingers and bruises and cuts on her body after the beating last year at the Neuro-Restorative Clinic.

Authorities said Hewett took photos and joked with his co-workers about the crime.

The judge signed off on the deal, even after calling it “mild.”

Hewett admitted to beating patient Christine Rouse.

Rouse has cerebral palsy and was receiving treatment for a brain injury.

"He beat me until I thought I was going to die," Rouse said during a video recorded statement.

Deputies said that Hewett punched, choked and broke her jaw and both of her pinky fingers while inside a transport van, then texted photos to his coworkers with jokes such as, "I will kill her. Lol."

"There was no respect for human dignity. This is a person from the bottom of the barrel," said Rouse’s brother, Michael Rouse.

The state and defense agreed to a sentence of two years in prison, followed by eight years of probation.

"You've entered what appears to be a rather mild sentence," said Hon. Renee Roche, Circuit Court Judge.

Despite expressing reservations, the judge accepted that sentence.

Christine Rouse founded "Acting Without Boundaries." It’s an organization that helps young people with disabilities pursue their dreams.

Family members said since the beating, she hasn't been the same and they don't think the sentence brings justice.

"Even the judge said this was a mild sentence. Anything you can tell us about why the sentence was agreed to?" Channel 9’s Jeff Deal asked prosecutor Alicia Virginio.

"I'm not making any comment," Virgino.

"The sentence minimizes the brutal torture that Christine suffered at the hands of someone responsible for her care," Michael Rouse said.

If Hewett violates probation, he could serve the 30-year sentence he was initially facing.

Cox Media Group