1 ARRESTED, ANOTHER SUSPECT SOUGHT IN SEVERE ABUSE OF AUTISTIC MAN

September 20, 2012 (Valley Center) – The San Diego Sheriff seeks public help to locate Michael Dale Garritson, 40, of Valley Center, one of two hired caregivers caught on tape repeatedly abusing a 23-year-old severely autistic man who is unable to speak. A second suspect, Matthew Alexander McDuffie, 27, of San Diego was arrested by detectives from the Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension unit.

Family members alleged that the two hired caregivers were recorded on video surveillance abusing the victim hundreds of times over a three-week period in early August.

According to Sgt. Mark Vamau, the Sheriff’s Department received a report on August 29 of severe physical abuse. The family had just installed a video surveillance system in the victim’s bedroom before the assaults were discovered.  The full extent of abuse is unknown, but the caregivers had been employed by the family for over two years. The victim had no ability to communicate to others that he was being abused.

Anyone with information on Garritson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Department at 858-565-5200 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.