Iowa City man accused of striking dependent adult

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man is accused of assaulting a mentally disabled man under his care.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, on April 8, 62-year-old Christopher N. Tangang was employed as a caretaker and tasked with providing full-time care and supervision to dependent adults living at a home on Sunset Street. Police said caretakers working at the home are forbidden from physically controlling or restraining the adults for any reason.

Police said Tangang was working at the home on April 8 when one of the adults tried to enter the kitchen because he was hungry. Tangang grabbed the man by the shoulders 'to control him” and pushed the man into his bedroom, police said. Tangang then scolded the man and slapped him in the face with an open hand.

Police said Tangang admitted to pushing the victim in order to 'encourage him to move,” but denied slapping him. The slap was witnessed by other caretakers, including Tangang's supervisor, police said. The victim suffered redness where he was slapped, but the redness went away and the man did not appear to suffer any injuries, police said.

Tangang was arrested and faces one count of dependent adult abuse, a serious misdemeanor. If convicted, Tangang could spend up to one year in jail.

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