My name is JoAnne Mayer. 

My son Nicholas Mayer was a resident of the Bellweather Group Homes, which was later featured in the news for the rampant abuse. Nick passed away about a month after I took him home. Originally he was in the Bridgewater location but then moved to the Woodstown home. He was abused multiple times which led to his death.

When he was in Woodstown he was beaten and stomped on. The Direct Support Professional’s (DSP) knee was on his neck. The Salem County courts dropped the charges because Division Of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) said the witness who sent me the photos, never made the report.

At the time, I was a DSP and Assistant Manager for at Community Options. I had to leave because I couldn't handle the way the clients were being treated. I put a complaint in with my coworkers but was told the investigator saw no abuse. Stating that I only saw it because of my biases with my son.

Two days before we took him home, Nick had an appointment with the Social Security Doctor. When he took his shirt off for his EKG, we found more bruises. The doctor made a complaint of abuse while we were there with them. I also called Nick’s Case Coordinator. I wanted to take him home that day but I couldn't because I wasn't his legal guardian. I had to work on getting him home and it was also Memorial Day weekend. I live with that guilt.

I called the police as soon as Nick was safe and out of the group home. He told me bits and pieces of what had happened but not until he was home. He shared that when the DSPs wanted to hurt him or another client they would say "let’s sweep.” 

He was hit with brooms.

But once getting Nick back home, he had headaches. Community Hospital in Toms River misdiagnosed it as Sinisitis. Then one night the headaches were so bad I drove him to Ocean Medical in Brick, NJ. Within the hour Nick had 3 seizures and was on a ventilator. They told me his brain was so swollen that his brain stem was herniated, blood was rushing to his brain. They transferred him to the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune. We decided to donate what organs the prosecutor would let us.

I called his Case Coordinator and told them. The group home manager never notified anyone. They couldn't prove Nick's death was from the injuries because the bruises had healed.

My heart breaks everyday. I miss him. I want this bill passed. I'm sorry I’m rambling. If there's something you don't understand about my story, feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time.

JoAnne Mayer