Inclusion Daily Express -- Newspaper Reveals Hundreds Of Abuse And Neglect Incidents In Texas Institutions

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Newspaper Reveals Hundreds Of Abuse And Neglect Incidents In Texas Institutions
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
August 3, 2007

DALLAS, TEXAS--A review of state employee disciplinary records, done last week by the Dallas Morning News, revealed that abuse and neglect have been rampant in institutions housing people with intellectual disabilities for the past several years.

The newspaper reviewed documents related to 474 confirmed cases of abuse or neglect in nine out of twelve state-run facilities since 2000. Of those, about one-half were related to neglect, while another third were cases of physical abuse. Most of the incidents occurred in the last two years.

The acts of neglect included such things as leaving residents in soiled clothing for hours, leaving them behind on outings, and keeping them inside hot vehicles in the summer time.

The abuse included such things as kicking, slapping, hitting, and pushing residents; using excessive force during restraints; feeding peppers to residents and refusing to let them have water; and punishing one resident by forcing her to walk around with socks stuffed in her mouth.

In one case, a resident was apparently dead for several hours before staff called authorities. Workers reportedly altered records to make it look as though they had checked on her when they in fact had not.

The Morning News was not able to determine how many cases led to criminal investigations and convictions. One district attorney said "it's an industry people find a way into, even when they shouldn't have the job," but added that it is not always clear whether the cases of abuse and neglect can be prosecuted.

Related Dallas Morning News:
"Abuse, neglect plague state schools"
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0803b.htm
"State school abuse frustrates families"
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0803c.htm
Editorial: "No Tolerance: End abuse at schools for the mentally retarded"
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0803d.htm

Copyright © 2007 Inonit Publishing
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