Balinda Garza-Eady

A 54-year-old in-home caregiver has been arrested and charged after being caught on surveillance video assaulting a 91-year-old woman under her care, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar announced Friday.

Balinda Garza-Eady, a caregiver employed by the company Senior Buddies, was arrested Friday morning, June 20, 2025, at her home without incident. She is charged with Injury to Elderly with Intent to Cause Bodily Injury, a felony offense.

The victim, who suffers from late-stage dementia and requires around-the-clock care, was being monitored by her family through a camera system installed inside the home. According to investigators, Garza-Eady was aware of the cameras but continued to abuse the patient regardless, even looking up at the cameras after assaulting the victim.

The investigation began when a family member noticed spilled food on the floor of the victim’s room and questioned the caregiver. Garza-Eady claimed the elderly woman had knocked the food over, prompting the family to review surveillance footage. What they discovered were multiple disturbing incidents of abuse recorded between January and March 2025.

Sheriff Salazar stated that the video evidence included instances of force feeding with a fork that caused the victim pain, and several incidents where Garza-Eady slapped the woman in the face.

After reviewing the evidence, investigators obtained a warrant for Garza-Eady’s arrest.

Sheriff Salazar also revealed that the family had contacted Senior Buddies management to report the abuse. According to the sheriff, the company told the family it would "handle the matter internally" and refused to report the incident to law enforcement. The victim’s family then contacted the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an immediate investigation.

The sheriff confirmed that BCSO has contacted the State of Texas regarding the case and urged any members of the public with concerns about Senior Buddies or Garza-Eady to contact the department at 210-335-6000 or email bcsotips@bexar.org.

Sheriff Salazar commended the victim’s family for their vigilance and for installing cameras that ultimately helped uncover the abuse.