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March 30, 2006

State wants group home operator's license revoked
One boy drowned; sex abuse alleged
 
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
 

COLUMBUS - The state wants to revoke the license of a company that operates 15 group homes in Ohio for troubled children, including one in Columbus where an autistic boy drowned in a bathtub.

The Department of Job and Family Services accuses ViaQuest Behavorial Health of violations of several state regulations, including an instance when one boy allegedly sexually abused another boy after the two had been left unattended. The state also said the company failed to comply with a plan created after Kasey Warner, 13, of Westerville, was found dead in 10 inches of bath water on Oct. 8, 2004.

"These are kids with serious problems," said Rick Smith, deputy director of the Department of Job and Family Services' Office for Children and Families. "We have to protect them from acts that could result in further abuse, including death, injury, illness, neglect or exploitation."

ViaQuest - which houses up to 65 children total at homes in Columbus, Mentor, Painesville, Westerville and Willoughby - said some problems could be attributed to the difficult children living at the facilities.

"We deal with the toughest kids around with the most significant emotional, behavioral and psychiatric issues," said Richard Johnson, founder and president of the company, which is appealing the state's decision. "Incidents happen, but we self-report everything to the state, which makes us look bad."

Chris Wolf, vice president of operations, said Wednesday that the company has made mistakes and is working to restore the state's confidence in ViaQuest.

"I honestly feel they are wanting to work with us," he said.

He said the company does dispute some of the state's findings.

He said in the case of the boy who drowned, there was no police finding of negligence.

In the matter involving the two boys, the company feels there was no sexual assault, just two boys misbehaving. Staff members who should have been watching the boys were fired, Wolf said.

If ViaQuest loses its appeal, the children who live in its facilities will have to be placed elsewhere.

 

 

 

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