A Chelsea, Mass., man appeared in court Friday charged with abusing a severely autistic woman he cared for in Winthrop, Mass. Watch Pam Cross' Report NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that Timothy Kubara was accused of assaulting Mary Elizabeth Morrow, a 34-year-old autistic woman, at a group home. Prosecutors said that Kubara struck Morrow in the face two days ago. Morrow was hospitalized with facial injuries. Cross said that it may not have been the first incidence of assault. Another staff member told police that Kubara became angry when Morrow wouldn't sit still while riding in the group home van on May 6. Cross said that Morrow has the skills of a 13-month-old toddler. "It's funny that he's been employed there for two-and-a-half years because her demeanor really plummeted about two-and-a-half years ago," sister Linda Colozzo said. "I think that it's been going on for quite a long time, and the more I hear, the more sick I become. It sounds like he just slapped her around whenever she was out of line." Cross said that Kubara helped care for eight severely disabled people at the home. "It's really sad that he was just smacking her around and she couldn't defend herself, nor could she speak and let us know who was doing this to her," sister Christine Morrow said. Kubara was held on $5,000 bail. He is due back in court in June. Cross said that Kubara is a native of Kenya, and was enrolled in community college courses. Previous Stories:

• May 11, 2001: Man Charged With Abusing Autistic Woman
• May 11, 2001: Arrest Made In Autistic Abuse Case