Four employees charged over alleged abuse at Kajaani care unit

Four employees have been charged with offences linked to a supported housing unit for people with intellectual disabilities in Kajaani, Yle reports. The four, three men and one woman, are accused of offences involving three residents.

The charges vary. One man faces charges of defamation and breach of official duty, while another is charged with defamation and coercion. The alleged offences took place on September 11, 2025.

A third man is charged with assault and breach of official duty over alleged offences on October 3, 2025. The woman faces charges of assault and breach of official duty over alleged offences on February 2, 2026.

All four have denied guilt.

The investigation began in May after the Kainuu wellbeing services county contacted police. The county said there were suspicions of inappropriate conduct by staff towards residents at the 24 hour supported housing unit on Rajamiehentie in Kajaani.

The case will later be heard by the Kainuu District Court.

Yle has previously reported that care staff at the unit allegedly used pepper spray against people with intellectual disabilities. Employees have also been questioned over alleged violence, degrading language and inappropriate treatment, including preventing residents from doing things and threatening them.

Those details emerged from documents the Kainuu wellbeing services county submitted to the Regional State Administrative Agency after an information request by Yle. It is not known whether the cases described in those documents are connected to the charges now brought.