720. The heritage of Hannah Neil

The heritage of Hannah Neil is located in the state of Ohio. A report shows a number of issues at this facility which serves children down to the age of 5.

Some of the issues are about the poor standards of the building. Some are related to the actions of the employees like:

• Staff lifting a child off the ground, flipping him into an upside-down position, and walking off camera with the child in an upside-down position. The staff holds onto the child’s chest and legs, while the child’s head is near the staff’s knees. The child’s inability to move qualifies this action as an unapproved restraint. This action is not therapeutic and is indicative of a traumatic abusive incident;
• Staff lifting a child off the ground by the child’s shorts and shirt and throwing the child through the air into the child’s room;
• Staff allowing children to hit, kick and hold down other children without immediate intervention or implementing de-escalation techniques. At times, staff seems to be encouraging the behavior.
• Staff putting child into a chokehold;
• Staff pushing children to the floor;
• Staff kicking a child while the child is in a restraint;
• Staff holding child’s own hands against child’s neck with force during a restraint;
• Staff grabbing children by their arms, legs, clothing and dragging them out of the room (noticeably, out of the video camera range);
• Staff kicking open a child’s bedroom door.

Needless to say that it cannot be fun to be there as a child.

Sources:

• REPORT: Persistent Problems at Hannah Neil (Disability Rights Ohio)
• Children Discharged From Columbus Treatment Center After Abuse Investigation (WOSU Radio)