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Star Ranch Order Shut By State Where Two Children Recently Died

June 17, 2006

By John MacCormack

The Star Ranch, a religious-themed residential treatment center in Ingram where two children recently died, was ordered closed Friday by state officials who cited a pattern of serious incidents.

"If this goes through, without change, it means they cannot operate that facility for any children," said Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

He said the action came a month after the state removed its 19 wards from the facility, leaving only a handful of private patients. He said the ranch will be given time to transfer the rest of its patients.

If the facility seeks to fight the revocation, it has 15 days to request a court intervention and request an administrative appeal of the proposed license revocation.

David Vineyard, a spokesman for the Star Ranch, declined to comment Friday.

According to a mission statement posted on its Web site, the facility's goal is to "Present Christ to His special children through a consistent and positive environment that produces healing, education and growth."

The facility treated children and teens with emotional problems, learning disabilities, retardation and attention difficulties. According to its Web site, in 2005, Star had a budget of $2.5 million and 70 employees.

"Our first priority to the children in all of our ... program's care is to clothe them, feed them, love them and make them understand we really do care about them," reads the Web site.

However, according to the state, the facility repeatedly fell short in its care.

In December, "Mikie" Garcia, 12, of Kerrville died after he was forcibly restrained by staff members. Two weeks ago, Lenny Ortega, also 12, died as a result of being swept into a rain-swollen creek.

Mentioned in the letter was the sexual assault of an 11-year-old patient by a 17-year-old patient in December, and unspecified sexual activity by three patients who were left unsupervised in September.

In addition, the letter referred to various other deficiencies relating to areas from food to behavior intervention.

"If they choose not to appeal or if the appeal is unsuccessful, the revocation will go through," Crimmins said.

jmaccormack@express-news.net

Copyright (c), 2006, San Antonio Express-News. All Rights Reserved.

 
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