Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit announced on April 22 the arrest of a Rapides Parish man, Darrius Lamar Payne, for allegedly violently slamming a disabled resident at Westside Habilitation Center in Alexandria. The incident reportedly resulted in three fractured ribs for the resident.
The case raises concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals living in residential facilities. The Louisiana Department of Justice provides legal services statewide and focuses on protecting constitutional rights and offering resources to citizens, according to the official website.
Payne, age 33, was arrested without incident on April 21 and charged with one count of cruelty to persons with infirmities. Authorities said Payne was formerly employed by Westside Habilitation Center, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to officials, surveillance footage from October 16 captured Payne forcefully slamming a resident onto his left side while other employees witnessed the event.
Payne has been booked into Rapides Parish Detention Center. Bond information is not available at this time as the investigation continues. “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said officials in a statement.
The Louisiana Department of Justice serves as the state’s primary legal office under Attorney General Liz Murrill, who has led efforts challenging federal overreach in more than 35 cases according to the official website. The department also works to preserve Louisiana’s culture and heritage through its legal work.
Funding for the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit comes primarily from a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant totaling $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26; state funding covers an additional $3 million portion.
Broader implications may include increased scrutiny on staff conduct within care facilities across Louisiana as authorities continue their investigation.
