By Madina Toure
A Rockaway Park couple was sentenced to prison for assaulting a disabled woman in March 2012, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced Friday.
Patrick Donovan, 45, and Mae Washington, 65, of Rockaway Park, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault earlier this month for assaulting a partially paralyzed woman in March 2012, Brown said. The woman, who was rescued from a locked room, was found bruised and battered.
Donovan was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years post-release supervision before Queens Supreme Court Justice Barry Kron. Washington was sentenced Jan. 29 to 11 years in prison and five years post-release supervision before Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter.
“The victim in this case weighed less than 100 pounds when found,” Brown said in a statement. “She had broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and was bleeding from the back of her head. The defendants pleaded guilty to the assault and have now been sentenced to prison time to punish them for their despicable actions.”
On March 22, 2012 the victim’s niece allegedly called 911 because she was concerned about her aunt’s safety, according to Brown. Her aunt was living with Donovan and Washington at the time.
Donovan and Washington allegedly took the police officer to a room locked from the outside and upon entering, the police officer found the victim lying huddled in a corner on the floor, the DA said. The officer is said to have seen blood seeping from a wound on the woman’s head and numerous bruises on her arms and legs, Brown said.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtoure@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4566.
