A Canisteo caregiver is behind bars after allegedly assaulting a patient and taking the victim’s vehicle without permission, according to New York State Police.
Michael Morris, 52, was arrested on Friday, March 14, following a report that an in-home caregiver had attacked a person in their care. Authorities charged Morris with second-degree assault, a class D felony, as well as two class A misdemeanors: fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Troopers responded to the victim’s home around 10:38 a.m., where the victim reported that Morris struck him in the face with a dog dish during an argument. The victim, who is over 65, suffered a cut on his nose, facial swelling, and a black eye.
Following the assault, Morris allegedly forced the victim to drive him to a store, then took the car keys to prevent the victim from leaving. Fearing another attack, the victim fled on foot to a nearby home, where he called 911.
By the time troopers arrived at the store, Morris had already returned to his residence on Fall Creek Road. Police later located and arrested him. Morris was processed at the state police barracks in North Hornell and taken to the Steuben County Jail.
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