WOODWARD, Iowa [KCCI] – Woodward police have filed charges against four employees at the Woodward State Hospital following an incident involving the assault of a dependent adult.

Woodward police Chief Jim Graham said the charges stem from an event captured on video in August, where a then-staff member, Mercedes Denise Wilson, assaulted a 21-year-old resident diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability. The incident reportedly occurred when the victim was in a chair.

A report filed with the Department of Inspections and Appeals details that the victim was trapped underneath the chair, and the staff member pressed down on it. The assault lasted about 15 minutes, according to criminal complaints, during which the victim was pushed out of different chairs multiple times.

Graham said three other staff members were present in the room but did not intervene. These staff members have been charged with neglect of a dependent adult. At least one of these cases has been dismissed, while another still has a warrant out for their arrest.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services oversees the Woodward Resource Center. In a statement officials said  “Iowa HHS takes the safety of our staff and clients very seriously, including reporting and conducting internal investigations into any reported incidents. The individuals involved in this incident are no longer employed by Iowa HHS.”