 Repeatedly parents have voiced their concerns about the safety
and well-being of their children who have been placed into mental
health facilities. Rightfully so, as many of these children do not
have a voice. Parents have shared they have a nagging feeling that
something is wrong, yet they have nothing to substantiate those
feelings.
Many of these parents feel alone and uneasy.
Parents, you and your children have been through it and sharing
your experiences could help another parent in their quest to find
the best placement for their child. (Click on picture for Matthew's
main
page). Story of Abbie (below) coming shortly. Please take a moment
to read some of the
stories below.
Matthew
Goodman
What most people don't see
...
Abby was repeatedly restrained
Matthew died following months in
mechanical restraints (above)
Stories of children who have been abused or have died in mental
health facilities:
-
May 26, 2006 -
Angie
Arndt, a beautiful little 7-year old girl, was restrained one to two
hours for "gargling milk!"
She was restrained again the next day, lost consciousness, and
died the following day.
Cynthia J. Allen, asks a
very good question: "Where
is the outrage?"
(click
here)
- February 24, 2006 - Joey Aletriz,
age 16, was restrained and died at ViaQuest's SummitQuest
facility in Ephrata, PA.
Joey's mother said: "Joey was a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a
cousin and a friend to all. The world will not be the same without
my son. He was a talented artist and he was very bright. I tried to
get help for my son because he was bored in school. Joey was not
sent to SummitQuest to be punished, he was sent there to help manage
his anger." (click
here)
- October 8, 2005 - Kasey Warner,
age 13, was an autistic boy who had never spoken a word. His
mother was assured he would receive round-the-clock supervision,
as she knew how critical this was to his safety and wellbeing.
However, at the Warren Avenue Group Home, staff left him alone
and he drowned in a tub with 12" of water. (click
here)
- February 6, 2002 - Matthew
Goodman, age 14,died of pneumonia, respiratory distress and
blood poisoning, after he had been kept in mechanical
restraints for 16 months (see picture above).
Matthew Goodman was born on March 4, 1987. As a toddler
he was diagnosed with autism. At age nine Matthew was
placed at a NJ residential program, where his family
believed he would receive a good education and
appropriate therapy and for which Matthew's local school
district paid over $300,000 a year. In September of 2000
Matthew was placed in arm restraints to control his
behavior. A helmet similar to a hockey mask was later
added. Against the protests of his parents, Matthew was
made to wear these
restraints during the day and often
during the night. In addition to the mechanical
restraints Matthew was drugged with medication. On
February 6 of 2002, Matthew died of pneumonia and blood
poisoning after 16 months of restraint. Visit
Legislation
to learn about the NJ bill
inspired by Matthew's story. (click
here)
-
April 8, 2000 -
Candace Newmaker, age 10, died after "therapists" performed a
"re-birthing" technique, where she was held down by several
"therapists". They piled 30 pounds of pillows on her little body
as she struggled to breath. She begged to be released but was
forced to stay inside the blanket that was wrapped around her
body "with puke and poop." Candace was adopted and suffered from
"attachment disorder". "Therapists" hired by her adoptive mother
were, according to news articles, neither trained, licensed, nor
qualified to give this diagnosis, let alone perform the
"re-birthing" technique they used on Candace, the technique that
ended her life. (click
here)
- On March 22, 1998, Andrew
McClain, age 11, a state foster child, died from traumatic
asphyxia and chest compression following a face-down restraint at Elmcrest psychiatric hospital. Two months later,
staffers who had just undergone state-ordered CPR training saved an
adult patient whose heart was failing. Linda Pearce Prestley, the state's child
advocate, who harshly criticized Andrew's care in two reports this
year, expects the improvements undertaken at Elmcrest to spread
across Connecticut. (click
here)
State of Connecticut Child Fatality Review Panel’s
Investigation into the Death of Andrew McClain
(click
here).
Cynthia J. Allen poses a very good question:
"Where is the Outrage?"
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