Man sentenced for abusing Siloam Springs adult
Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2008
BENTONVILLE — Patrick Pokrzywinski was supposed to be a caretaker for a mentally impaired man, but instead Pokrzywinski made the man a victim.
Pokrzywinski, of Rogers, was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing Carl Hankins, a disabled person who is deaf and mute. Pokrzywinski pleaded guilty to abuse of an adult, a class D felony punishable with a prison sentence of up to six years.
The plea was under an agreement that Pokrzywinski’s attorney, Larry Froelich, reached with Deputy Prosecutor Joni Rose.
Pokrzywinski worked for Bost Inc., as an in-home caregiver, according to court documents. He began caring for Hankins in 2006, court documents state.
Hankins’ mother — Rita Trammell — took her son on April 7, 2007, to Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital.
Her son had bruising on the left side of his forehead and bruising on both sides of his abdomen, his arms and back, and scratches on his knees and back, according to court documents.
Eye doctors determined that both of his retinas were damaged, and Hankins had begun losing his sight, court documents state.
Pokrzywinski admitted to abusing Hankins and causing his injuries.
Rose told Circuit Judge David Clinger that law enforcement, the victim and his family were in favor of the plea agreement.
Hankins and Trammell were in court during the plea. Clinger asked Trammell if she agreed with the plea agreement. Trammell said she was in agreement.
Froelich described Pokrzywinski’s caretaker position as difficult and stressful, but told the court there was no justification for his client’s actions and that Pokrzywinski was ready to accept responsibility for them.
Clinger accepted the plea agreement and Pokrzywinski’s guilty plea.
Pokrzywinski was sentenced to two years in prison. After his release, he must abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for four years.
If he violates the terms of the suspended-sentence agreement, Pokrzywinski could receive a sentence of up to four years in prison.
He must also pay $ 3, 420 in court-associated costs.
Pokrzywinski will be eligible for parole after serving four months.
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