Port Jefferson, New York — A home health nurse in Suffolk County has been arrested after surveillance footage allegedly showed him repeatedly striking a 5-year-old child with special needs while the child was under his care inside a family home, authorities confirmed this week.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Bruno Valenzuela, a nurse formerly employed by Christian Nursing Registry, was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with the December incident.
Police say the child, who has cerebral palsy, was being cared for by Valenzuela inside the family’s Port Jefferson residence on Dec. 20, 2025, when the alleged abuse occurred.
Parents Raised Concerns After Noticing Bruises
Investigators said the case came to light after the child’s parents noticed unexplained bruising and behavioral changes following time spent with the nurse. Concerned, the family reviewed footage from their in-home security system.
What they reportedly discovered prompted immediate action.
The video allegedly shows Valenzuela striking the child repeatedly while the child is crying, police said.
The parents took the child for medical evaluation and filed a police report two days later, setting off a Special Victims Unit investigation.
Surveillance Footage Central to Case
According to investigators and media reports, the surveillance video shows Valenzuela tending to the child before the situation escalates.
Police say the footage depicts the nurse slapping the child aggressively in the chest and back, with the child lying flat and crying. The alleged blows were forceful enough that the child’s body visibly moved during the incident.
Authorities said the child’s cries grew louder as the nurse continued, and Valenzuela could allegedly be heard telling the child to “relax” multiple times during the episode.
Investigators allege the assault lasted long enough to leave visible bruising, which later prompted the medical visit.
Hospital Visit and Police Investigation
On Dec. 22, the family brought the child to Stony Brook University Hospital, where medical staff documented injuries consistent with physical trauma, according to police.
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Detectives from the Special Victims Section reviewed the footage, medical records, and statements from the family before determining there was probable cause for arrest.
Suffolk County Police confirmed Valenzuela was taken into custody Thursday and held overnight.
Charges Filed, Plea Entered
Valenzuela was charged with:
- Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person (Class E felony)
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
During arraignment on Friday, Valenzuela pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released under non-monetary conditions, according to court records.
Police confirmed he is no longer employed by Christian Nursing Registry.
Agency Responds to Allegations
The nursing registry released a statement acknowledging the arrest and emphasizing that the incident was unprecedented in the agency’s history.
“We’ve been operating for 38 years and this has never happened before,” a company spokesperson said, noting that Valenzuela’s credentials and background checks were reportedly up to date.
Agency officials also stated that Valenzuela had been working with the family for several years prior to the incident and had previously built what they described as a positive relationship with them.
Detectives Seek Additional Victims
Authorities are now asking anyone who believes a family member may have had contact with Valenzuela and experienced inappropriate behavior to come forward.
Detectives say the investigation remains active as they work to determine whether the incident was isolated or part of a broader pattern.
Police stressed that protecting vulnerable individuals remains a top priority, particularly when caregivers are entrusted with children who cannot advocate for themselves.
Case Raises Broader Concerns
The arrest has reignited concerns among parents and caregivers about oversight in home health care settings, especially when services are provided behind closed doors.
Advocates say cases like this underscore the importance of:
- Monitoring caregiver interactions
- Reporting injuries or behavior changes immediately
- Using home surveillance responsibly when concerns arise
As the legal process continues, the focus remains on the child’s recovery and accountability in the case.
What safeguards do you think should be in place to better protect children with special needs receiving in-home care? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
