Polk Center Employee Faces Charges for Alleged Assault of Resident

POLK BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – Charges have been filed against a Polk Center employee who is accused of two assaults on a resident of the facility.

Court documents indicate the Polk Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 29-year-old Ryan Charles Fike, of Franklin.

According to a criminal complaint, a known individual reported that on March 18, he witnessed Ryan Fike hitting a known care-dependent victim on the side of the head with a log, then hitting the victim on the side of the head with his hand, and finally throwing him over a chair at a cottage at Polk State Center.

A second witness also reported that Fike hit the victim on the side of the head with his hand and pushed the victim over a chair, the complaint states.

Both of the first two witnesses told police the victim yelled out in pain when struck, the complaint notes.

A third witness also reportedly stated that on March 20, Fike pushed the same victim, causing him to fall onto the ground.

The victim was in the care of Fike, who was employed by Polk State Center, where the victim resides, during both of the reported incidents, the complaint continues.

The log used in the initial incident was reported to be approximately 23 inches long and nine inches around and was later found in the area where other individuals living in the indicated cottage said it would be, according to the complaint.

The following charges were filed against Fike through Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office on March 30:

– Neglect of Care-Dependent Person, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Strikes, shoves, kicks, or attempts/threatens care-dependent person, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Endangers welfare of care-depending person for whom responsible, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Misdemeanor 3 (two counts)
– Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting, Misdemeanor 3 (two counts)

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 5, with Judge Kirtland presiding.

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