Inclusion Daily Express -- Television Crew Captures Abuses On Video

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Television Crew Captures Abuses On Video
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
October 4, 2007

BUCKLEY, WASHINGTON--Two attendant staff members of the state-run Rainier School were arrested Tuesday, charged with assaulting residents during an outing at a nearby park.

The alleged abuse was caught on videotape by a KIRO-TV undercover news crew that had reportedly been tipped off by a Rainier employee that was concerned about treatment of residents.

After KIRO showed the video to officials with the Department of Social and Health Services, which operates the institution, the Department called in the Washington State Patrol to investigate.

Karl R. Whitehouse, 41, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of fourth-degree assault. Michelle Ann Martin, 27, was arrested on one count of assault. A third unnamed employee could also face charges.

The three Rainier workers are seen on the video slapping, pushing, and poking residents during the August 29 picnic, reportedly held at a park on the institution's campus. One employee is seen pushing a resident down on the ground, and then kneeing that resident in the back. Staff members are also seen picking up and carrying residents, some of whom could walk without assistance. One employee is seen apparently punching an 88-year-old woman in the face -- twice.

Upon viewing the video, Kathy Leitch, assistant secretary for the Aging and Disability Services Administration, said: "The overall theme that during this particular outing -- we saw some different staff people not treating people with respect that we expect to happen and it wasn't there. And it wasn't just one staff person and it's something we should investigate."

In court documents, investigators said Whitehouse and Martin admitted to -- and apologized for -- assaulting the residents. Both have pleaded not guilty, however.

Rainier School, located about 30 miles southeast of Seattle, is one of five residential habilitation centers operated by DSHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities. It houses about 370 people with developmental and other disabilities.

KIRO-TV reported Thursday that up to a dozen Rainier staff members could face disciplinary action over the incident.

Related:
"Caught On Tape: 88-Year-Old Disabled Woman Punched In Face" (KIRO-TV)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14278109/detail.html
"More Rainier School Employees Face Disciplinary Action" (KIRO-TV)
http://www.kirotv.com/news/14272613/detail.html
Text of criminal complaint (U.S. District Court, Tacoma)
http://www.kirotv.com/download/2007/1005/14279119.pdf
"Washington State's Institutions: Rainier School" (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/institutions/wa/rainier.htm

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