The Suffolk County Police arrested home health aide Bruno Valenzuela after surveillance video allegedly showed him slapping and shaking a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy at a Port Jefferson home on Dec. 20, 2025. The child’s parents discovered bruising and behavior changes, reviewed home security footage, and took the boy to Stony Brook University Hospital before filing a police report. Valenzuela—who had worked for the family for about three years and was employed by the Christian Nursing Registry—was charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person (Class E felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child; he pleaded not guilty and was released under non-monetary conditions. Detectives are urging anyone with relevant footage or possible additional victims to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6184.
Home Health Aide Arrested After Surveillance Allegedly Shows Him Striking 5-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy
A home health aide has been dismissed and arrested after surveillance video allegedly captured him assaulting a 5-year-old child with cerebral palsy at a Port Jefferson residence, Suffolk County Police said.
Incident and Arrest: According to a Suffolk County Police Department press release, Bruno Valenzuela was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 15, after footage reportedly showed him slapping a disabled child while the child was in his care on Dec. 20, 2025. The family discovered unexplained bruises and behavioral changes and reviewed home security footage, which local outlets say revealed the alleged abuse.
What the Footage Allegedly Shows: Local news stations that obtained portions of the surveillance video say the clips show Valenzuela changing the child’s clothes before the child began crying. The reports state the video then appears to show Valenzuela striking the child’s chest more than 10 times while the child lay on his back and subsequently picking him up and shaking him as the child’s cries intensified. In the footage Valenzuela is also reportedly heard saying, "relax, relax" and "just relax." Published screenshots blurred the child’s face to protect his identity.
Medical Care and Investigation: On Dec. 22, the family took the child to Stony Brook University Hospital and filed a police report. Detectives from the Special Victims Unit opened an investigation, and Suffolk County Police say Valenzuela was held overnight after his arrest. He faces charges of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person (a Class E felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Employment Status and Court Proceedings: Valenzuela had worked for the family for roughly three to three-and-a-half years and was employed by the Christian Nursing Registry in Smithtown. The agency confirmed he is no longer employed there. An arraignment on Friday, Jan. 16, resulted in Valenzuela pleading not guilty to both charges; he was released under non-monetary conditions, according to court records.
Responses: PEOPLE and other outlets reached out to Valenzuela’s attorneys and to the Christian Nursing Registry for comment. A spokesperson for the agency told FOX 5 NY the organization has operated for 38 years and that the caregiver’s paperwork, including a background check, had been current. Camille Harlow, director at Christian Nursing Registry, described Valenzuela as “like part of the family” and said the family reviewed earlier footage without seeing prior incidents. Harlow was quoted as saying, “From what we can tell, this was a one-time incident. We’re thinking that he just snapped.”
Authorities Seek Others With Information: Detectives are asking anyone who believes they may have footage or know of other potential victims who were cared for by Valenzuela to contact the Special Victims Section at 631-852-6184.
If you suspect child abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or online at www.childhelp.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and supported in more than 170 languages.
Note: The allegations described above are based on reports and surveillance footage reviewed by local news organizations and law enforcement statements. The accused has pleaded not guilty and is entitled to due process.
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