ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — An employee at a Dunedin nursing home was taken into custody Tuesday following an investigation into reports that he beat two disabled residents.

Nicholas Brown, 35, of St. Petersburg, was arrested and charged with two counts of abuse or neglect of an aged or disabled person, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they launched an investigation on Dec. 23 after another employee at Lake Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility said they witnessed Brown strike the victims multiple times.

Both victims, who were described as adult males, are non-verbal and unable to communicate. Officials said one of the residents suffers from a traumatic brain injury, while the other is a quadriplegic with intellectual disabilities.

According to the witness, Brown, who is a Certified Nursing Assistant, struck them both “with force” on their sides, legs and buttocks.

Authorities said the victims were evaluated and treated at the facility for non-life-threatening injuries.

Brown was terminated as a result of the incident, officials reported.

As of Tuesday, the investigation was ongoing. Anyone with further information on the case or additional victims is asked to contact Corporal Antonio at 727-582-6722.