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Child’s death in a treatment center
March 01, 2007
 By
M. ANN HAGER, La Crosse . Angie was a beautiful, vivacious
7-year-old girl in the foster care system, who died as a result of
being restrained at a day treatment center in Rice Lake, Wis., last
May. Her life was short, her potential unknown.
Although I never met Angie or her
loving family, the unnecessary death of this beautiful little girl
has deeply affected me.
I am the proud mom of five sons,
two with significant mental health and developmental differences. We
deal with violent, aggressive, out-of-control behaviors on a daily
basis, yet neither of my sons has ever been restrained in a
restrictive, prone hold by anyone helping to support them.
At one point last spring, we
thought about having one of our sons evaluated by a facility run by
the same company that ran the day treatment program where Angie
died. In hindsight, I am thankful we rejected this idea.
Current statistics show that one in
five children suffer from an emotional, behavioral or mental health
difference. Only 20 percent of those children receive supports and
services.
Here’s what we need to do:
# Pass “Angie’s Law” to prohibit
prone restraint and better monitor treatment facilities.
# Provide wrap-around services in
all areas of the state.
# Provide funding for positive
behavior training for all working to support our children
# Provide funding for training to
eliminate the stigma surrounding our children and families.
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