Nebraska caregiver arrested for using dog shock collar on boy with CP

From KETV in Omaha, Neb.:

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Lincoln police said a caregiver with a criminal record used a dog training collar to shock a disabled boy.

Scott Gale, 26, was cited and released Nov. 10 on a child abuse charge.

Police said Gale shocked the 17-year-old boy twice just below the elbow. The boy suffers from severe cerebral palsy and shaken-baby syndrome.

The boy isn't able to communicate and has difficulty controlling his movements, police said. He currently lives at a rehabilitation center in Lincoln.

Police spokeswoman Katie Flood said the boy came screaming out of his room after the incident. Flood said Gale followed the boy out of the room carrying the dog collar.

"It looks like it happened twice. It was two distinct marks on his elbow, each three centimeters apart," Flood said.

The company that operates the group home, Integrated Life Choices, declined to confirm if Gale was an employee.

But company President Bill Arrants responded, saying, "We've suspended the individual immediately to ensure the safety of individuals while we conduct our investigation. We protect the people we serve."

Nebraska Health and Human Services confirmed that it was aware of an incident and that it was investigating.

The group home isn't licensed but it is certified. HHS said that requires a criminal background check on employees.

KETV NewsWatch 7 has learned that Gale has a lengthy record, including several drug and alcohol charges. Flood said this latest charge is disturbing.

"I can think of no reason someone would need to shock a boy like this," she said.

KETV reached Gale by phone Thursday. He declined to comment citing his attorney's advice.

The boy was checked out at hospital and deemed to be OK.