Are group homes all they are cracked up to be? An article entitled Autistic Kids in Danger shows concerns for the safety of children being placed in group homes. Martha Quesada a mother of a 12-year old autistic child now looks for answers in the death of her son Dennis. Dennis was placed in a group home named Rainbow Ranch in Florida because his violent behavior. There he made a phone call home on May 23rd and that was the last time she ever heard his voice. Her son had been rushed to hospital later that day and she was too late her son was already dead. Agencies in Florida say that Dennis was restrained on the day he died. He was placed on his stomach in a van with his arms behind his back. The group home staff was accused but the allegations were dropped and the home has since been closed by the state. Dennis’s death has not yet fully been explained but the facts are coming forward. At least four other autistic children have died while being in the supervision of group home staff. Jane Hudson of the National Disability Rights Network believes that there is not training in many homes. Dennis Debbaudt an autism safety consultant adds that the issue of group homes is overlooked. The pay at a group home is not enough to attract well educated people who know autism so the people who take the jobs might be the worst care.
Another case involves Mike and Lisa Carey and their 13-year old son Jonathon. After trying to control their sons’ disorder they decided that he needed more. They sent their son to the Anderson School in Staatsburg, New York. Jonathon eventually came back home when his father visited him and found him naked, covered in bruises and lying in his own urine. After calling a crisis hotline, Jonathon moved into another group home called O.D. Heck Center. However in February Jonathon died after a worker allegedly pinned him down to the seat of the van. The driver of the van pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide but the worker that held him down denies any wrong doing. New York has now passed Jonathon’s Law which requires parents to be notified of reported abuse at facilities within 24 hours. Mike Carey says, “These children are the most vulnerable people in society, there’s no way we’re going to stop fighting for them.”
This article is unbelievable. I couldn’t image sending my child to a group home, thinking that it would be benefiting their needs and in reality it is literally killing them. In my opinion something needs to be done. Group homes should have to employ staff members with proper training and if that means paying more then so be it. A parent should not have to fear the loss of their child while trying to acquire the help of others. More needs to be done for the well being of these children!
This article is really touching. I can’t believe what people do to each other. You send your children to homes to be taken care of and look what happens when your not around. These articles are sad and I feel bad for the families.