Group home worker accused in autistic patient’s death released on $25,000 bond

A 43-year-old man accused of strangling a 26-year-old autistic patient at a Fort Lauderdale group home posted bond and left the Broward County jail Thursday. Jimmy Bertram Alexis was released after posting $25,000 bail. He denied choking the patient when a Local 10 reporter asked him about it.

Alexis was arrested Tuesday on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a disabled person. Police and court records tie the charge to the June 30, 2023, death of Jason Similien. Alexis worked at Genuine Love and Care Group Home, where Similien lived as a patient, authorities said.

Emergency crews were called to the home after Similien was found unresponsive. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. A Broward County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide in November 2023, according to the arrest report.

The arrest report says Alexis told investigators he had to “restrain him, not choke him.” A second employee on duty that night told police Alexis choked Similien until he lost consciousness, twice, and said she recorded audio of the second incident. Police also said Alexis discussed with that employee what to tell investigators in a recorded phone call.

Similien’s family has filed a lawsuit against the facility and Alexis, alleging negligence. Their attorney, Adam Finkel, said the family believes there were earlier warning signs about Alexis’s behavior. The facility did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Alexis is expected back in court next week.