On Thursday (12/22), the state announced its intent to permanently remove children from Uspiritus-Brooklawn, a Jefferson County psychiatric residential treatment facility, following an investigation into the death of 7 year-old Ja’Ceon Terry, who died on July 17 at the facility.
A coroner’s report identified the cause of death as positional asphyxia. The cabinet immediately ceased placing children and youth in psychiatric residential care at Brooklawn pending results of the investigation.
After a thorough investigation by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Office of Inspector General and Department for Community Based Services took action by notifying Uspiritus-Brooklawn Academy, 3115 Brooklawn Campus Drive; Uspiritus-Brooklawn-Horizons, 2104 David Graves Drive; and Uspiritus-Brooklawn Pilots, 2108 David Graves Drive of the investigative findings.
The statement of deficiency includes failure of direct-care staff to supervise residents and know their whereabouts at all times; recording all incidents or accidents that present a direct or immediate threat to the health, safety or security of any resident or staff member; and complying with a regulation which states that a restraint or seclusion shall not result in harm or injury to the resident and shall be used only to ensure the safety of the resident or others during an emergency safety situation.
No children or youth have been placed in the psychiatric or child caring residential facilities at Brooklawn since Ja’Ceon Terry passed.
The licensees have the option to appeal the actions of the cabinet.
The cabinet is also investigating additional allegations.
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