Man accused of taking disturbing videos of patients at care home takes plea deal

NEW BRIGHTON, Pa. — A Beaver County man accused of videotaping horrible assaults on nonverbal special needs patients at a care home took a plea deal.

Zach Dinell, a former direct care worker of McGuire Memorial, admitted his guilt in court at the last minute to avoid a trial.

Officials said many of his crimes were captured on his cellphone while he was working at the care home in New Brighton.

Dinell’s attorney, Steve Colafella, said his client “knows it wasn’t a very smart thing to do and he regrets it.” Prosecutors said the video evidence found on Dinell’s cellphone was very graphic and disturbing. Not going to trial saves the victims’ families from having to see it.

While a doctor testified that the abuse did not lead to permanent injury, four families are suing the facility.

Dinell could be sentenced up to 100 years in prison. That hearing is in April.

Man accused of taking disturbing pictures, videos of patients at care home appears in court Man accused of taking disturbing pictures, videos of patients at care home appears in court

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