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Former Employee Speaks Against Alexander Youth Services

Friday November 03, 2006

Reporter: Jessica Morkert  
Posted By: Amanda Manatt

Alexander - Allegations of medical mistreatment prompt the state to sever ties with the company that runs one of its largest juvenile lock-ups.

The Department of Health and Human Services is cutting its contract with Pennsylvania-based Cornell companies. The move comes after more allegations of medical mistreatment. Alexander Youth Services is in Saline County just outside Benton.

One worker, Antoine Stewart, just quit working at Alexander Youth Services. Stewart says conditions at the center are horrible. He says employees work long hours without breaks and kids are mistreated and neglected. He says one child in particular received no medical treatment after a spider bite.

(Antoine Stewart, Former Employee) "He wasn't callin’ wolf. They ended up taking him to the hospital. He had been bit by a brown recluse."

It's one of several allegations concerning medical care at the facility.

In 2005, 17-year-old Lakiesha Brown died at Alexander. Her mother alleges medical negligence after several complaints that went unchecked. Alexander was a state-run facility until 2001 . That's when Cornell Companies, a reputable company, according to DHHS, was selected to take over operations.

Based on video surveillance and interviews with juveniles and nurses, there's evidence to support that forced psychotropic medications were given against the juveniles’ will.

(Julie Munsell) "Our overriding concern was the circumstances regarding the administration of psychotropic drugs for the purpose of modifying behavior."

A spokesperson for Cornell Companies says it's surprised by the announcement, adding, "The allegations are inconsistent with the way the company does business... Cornell will perform it's own investigation, but the results may not have much bearing since ADHHS has already made it's decision..."

(Stewart) "They're not surprised, they're not surprised.. Ask them how many investigations they've covered up."

At this point, Arkansas State Police is conducting an investigation. There's no word yet on who will run the facility.

 

 

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