Exclusive: New allegations of abuse at group home in the Bronx

MOTT HAVEN (WABC) -- A family is outraged as new allegations of abuse emerge against a group home housing mentally challenged adults.

The Eyewitness News Investigators first exposed allegations of abuse against residents of the state-run IRA group home in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx last month.

But now, an insider has sent a letter detailing additional horrors, even naming names of alleged abusers.

And the insider, apparently a staff member of the home, asked families who received this letter to make sure it was forwarded to us.

That insider apparently saw our first story in early August.

There's already fallout from the widening scandal. A representative for parents of the disabled adults says more than a dozen employees have now been disciplined.

"You know, I had said to you in the last interview I wonder what's happening to her in the middle of the night. I know now," said Laura Kearns, sister of a home resident.

Laura is outraged, frustrated and devastated as she reacts to a letter she received about her sister, Debra, who is non-verbal and severely disabled, living in the Union IRA group home in the Bronx.

We first talked to the family last month after Debra was taken to Lincoln hospital with a black eye.

Hospital police had to intervene when an employee of the group home was "Verbally aggressive towards patient" and "violently pushed the patient" in the emergency room.

And now, more abuse allegations:

"Putting her in a corner, spitting on her, pulling her hair, and another resident with a busted eardrum," said Kearns.

The letter, apparently from a staff member who did not give his or her name, detailed other specific instances of abuse.

Handwritten copies were sent to families and a typed copy mailed to the state agency that oversees the home.

In one case, (named staff member) has kicked victim in the legs to the point where they swelled up like balloons.

The letter also describes how one resident was poisoned and some 'sexually abused."

Ida Rios, who lost a mentally disabled son years ago, advocates for families.

"I just thought house of horrors. How could anybody working with our children be so cruel?" ("And so many allegedly?," we asked.) "Absolutely," she said.

The group home insider promised that pictures of the abuse are set to go to Albany and to us at Channel 7.

"The message was to get this letter to us," we said to Laura. "This is absolutely outrageous, they all have to go to jail," she said.

State officials that oversee group homes would only tell us that staff members at Union IRA being investigated for abuse allegations are on administrative leave. They would not give us numbers or any other details.