There are shocking new admissions from state employees who were caught on camera punching, kicking and shoving disabled patients.

Two caregivers at the Rainier School for the disabled will be charged on Friday with five counts of assault.

KIRO Team 7 Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne acquired documents that reveal the criminal case.

In a statement of probable cause, detectives repeatedly refer to undercover videotape shot by KIRO Team 7 Investigators as the proof for assault charges.

The court papers also tell us a lot more -- not only about the alleged abusers -- but the victims enduring some obvious mistreatment.

If seeing a state employee haul off and hit a vulnerable person right in the face -- twice -- is not enough to turn your stomach, consider this: the mentally challenged woman trying to defend herself is 88 years old.

Prosecutors said the employee is 41-year-old Karl Ross Whitehouse of Wikeson, Wash., who is doing the swinging and some slapping and some pushing around of disabled patients in his care.

Court documents signed Thursday night by the Pierce County Prosecutor accuse Whitehouse of two counts assault in the fourth degree.

His employer, the Department of Social and Health Services, has suspended him from his duties as a counselor at the Rainier School for the disabled.

"That is truly and totally inappropriate and a violation of R.C.W. (the Revised Code of Washington) as well as department policy," said Chris Coleman, a DSHS care expert.
Halsne: "Do you think it's criminal?"
Coleman: "I think that was an abusive gesture, yeah."

"(The) part where he hits the head, just doesn't seem like there is any reason for it," said state disabilities director Kathy Leicht.

"A smack is not permitted under policy, absolutely not. We don't tolerate it," said Coleman.

Court records also identify a woman we videotaped head-slapping, kicking and shoving a vulnerable client to the ground as 27 year old Michelle Ann Martin of Buckley.

She faces three counts assault and has been suspended by DSHS as well.

So what do the accused say? According to the court documents, "Police spoke with each defendant, who admitted their actions were inappropriate and assaultive, apologizing for their conduct."

There is a court hearing set for Friday.