UPDATE: 5/26/11 @ 7 P.M.
GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) -- It’s not how you treat a human being.
Those words from a judge today -- in a troubling case of institutional abuse involving people with developmental disabilities.

WSAZ.com has covered this case since 2007, involving workers at a group home in Grayson -- a home that since 1996 has cared for dozens of adults and juveniles, many severely afflicted.

The facility was a community beacon, until an attorney general led probe uncovered what one worker called some violently abusive bad apples in a good bunch.

On Thursday, a ringleader is headed to prison.

After a jury's guilty verdict -- followed by guilty pleas, Robert Thompson was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The 55 yr old was a supervisor at the Community Presence group home.

That’s where prosecutors say he joined in confining intimidating and improperly restraining an innocent mentally handicapped resident named Craig Martin.

Thompson also pleaded guilty to slamming resident Michael Price's head into a car hood.

Ten community presence workers were originally charged with varying degrees of abusing a vulnerable adult. Several say they took orders directly from Robert Thompson.

Other Community Presence workers have pleaded guilty to abuse and manslaughter in the death of Michael price.

Community Presence closed a few months after the abuse charges were filed.

Investigators say the criminal activities here were far beyond the usual group and nursing home abuse complaints.

A state report showed Community Presence caregivers falsified medical records, video taped without permission, and let fractures and abrasions go unreported and untreated.

The attorney general's medicaid fraud and abuse division led a team effort in handling this case.

Attorney General Jack Conway says that during a hearing in Carter County Circuit Court, Todd Gribbin of Flatwoods and Earl Pelfrey of Grayson were sentenced to one year for wantonly abusing an adult, wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment.

The sentences were then diverted for a period of five years.

Gribbin and Pelfrey were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the abuse of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence.

Gribbin and Pelfrey worked at Community Presence’s Adult Day Treatment facility. On September 20, 2007, Gribbin and Pelfrey, as well as other caregivers from Community Presence, laid on the victim’s back and chest for extended periods of time.

As part of their sentence, Gribbin and Pelfrey also were ordered to never again be employed as caregivers of vulnerable adults or children.

They also agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions of Community Presence staff members and testify against their remaining co-defendants.

Charges in this case are still pending against Bob Thompson, Michael Yates and Mathew Wilburn.

Bob Thompson, Regina Stephens and Ira Lee Griffith also face charges in connection with other allegations of patient abuse at the facility.

The Attorney General says investigations into Community Presence, Inc. are ongoing.

According to a news release, Todd Gribbin and Earl Pelphrey, both of Grayson, pleaded guilty to wantonly abusing an adult, wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. The pleas were entered Friday, December 4, in Carter Circuit Court.

Gribbin and Pelphrey were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the abuse of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence. Gribbin and Pelphrey worked at Community Presence’s Adult Day Treatment facility.

According to the indictment, on September 20, 2007, Gribbin and Pelphrey, as well as other caregivers from Community Presence, laid on the victim’s back and chest for extended periods of time.

As part of the plea agreement, they will serve a one-year sentence. Gribbin and Pelphrey have agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigations and prosecutions of Community Presence, Inc. staff members.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2010, in Carter Circuit Court.

The release says charges in this case are still pending against Bob Thompson and Michael Yates.

Bob Thompson, Regina Stephens and Ira Lee Griffith also face charges in connection with other allegations of patient abuse at the facility.

Earlier this year, two other workers at the group home pleaded guilty to their roles in Price’s death. In April, Matthew Bortles was sentenced to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd degree manslaughter, tampering with evidence and abusing an adult as a caregiver.

Brandon Starotska pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and wantonly abusing an adult as a caregiver. His manslaughter charge was dropped. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The Attorney General says an investigation into Community Presence is ongoing.