By Joel Phelps
The Arkadelphian

A Clark County CNA accused of dragging a Human Development Center resident faces felony charges following an investigation by a special unit within the Attorney General’s office.

Court documents filed this week indicate that 32-year-old Mikel Tristen Noel, a certified nursing assistant, dragged and beat a resident of the Arkadelphia Human Development Center to the point of the victim suffering “significant bruising all over his body.”

Noel, whose last known address is 268 Frost Road, Caddo Valley is charged with abuse of an endangered or impaired person stemming from a June 2021 incident.

An affidavit notes that a special agent with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the AG’s office received a referral on June 28 from the Arkansas Department of Human Services long-term care office reporting that Noel had physically abused a resident.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit opened its probe following an investigation by the local AHDC facility and DHS, which provided a video of portions of the alleged incident.

“In the video, CNA Mikel Noel was observed dragging [the resident] to his room on his back,” the affidavit states. “Once in his room, [neither the victim nor] Mikel Noel can be seen on video, however slapping sounds can be heard and [the victim] can be heard screaming.” The affidavit goes on to state that Noel was seen in video footage “looking at his hands for injury after the incident.”

The affidavit names a second CNA who reported the incident after observing Noel “smack” the AHDC resident in the head.

Noel was arrested on Oct. 25 and booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of second-degree battery and released two days later. He has been to court on a first appearance. Arraignment had not yet been set on Thursday, Nov. 4.