Lubbock State School fires six employees after resident's death in June

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By Sarah Nightingale | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Saturday, July 18, 2009
Story last updated at 7/18/2009 - 1:58 am

Six Lubbock State School employees were fired last week for their involvement in the June 6 death of a school resident, a Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Representative confirmed on Friday.

Donnell Smith, Jessica Santos, Abrisha Henderson, Amiya Harper, Craig Stevenson and Omar Jordan were fired when a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigation confirmed their involvement in the "physical abuse and neglect of the patient," said Laura Albrecht, a state press officer for the DADS.

Avalanche-Journal attempts to reach the former employees on Friday were unsuccessful. They were not listed in the city's phone book.

The employees, Albrecht said, worked as mental retardation assistants and were involved in direct patient care. Their positions, she added, ranged from entry level to supervisory, but all worked under the direction of higher grade "unit directors."

The Lubbock Police Department was called to the school, 3401 N. University Ave., to investigate the June 6 on-site death of a 46-year-old male resident. The resident, who cannot be named due to federal privacy laws, fell in his room after a struggle with staff, according to a June 11 Avalanche-Journal report.

Emergency responders were unable to revive him at the school, Albrecht previously told The A-J.

Darrell Azar, spokesman for the DFPS, said Friday his agency was unable to comment on the specific findings of the investigation, which began June 6. The confidential report, he said, was submitted to Department of Aging and Disability Services staff so they could "take the appropriate enforcement action."

Azar said findings of the report were also submitted to school superintendent Kristen Weems, and local law enforcement agents.

Lubbock Police Sgt. Jimmy Pachall said Friday his department closed its criminal investigation of the case when Lubbock County Medical Examiner Sridhar Natarajan concluded the victim did not receive a fatal injury during his June 6 struggle with staff.

Pachall said the investigation had been turned over to the Texas Attorney General's office.

Tom Kelley, press officer for the attorney general's office, said his agency "does not acknowledge investigations at any time."

Azar said it was possible the civil investigation they undertook may not lead to criminal action.

"We look at whether it is likely that abuse or neglect caused a death or a serious injury," he said. "A criminal investigation would have to have a stronger level of proof in order to prosecute."

The Lubbock State School, now officially named the Lubbock State Supported Living Center, houses approximately 300 people with the diagnosis of mental retardation. The 24-hour residential facility sits on a 226 acres site approximately three miles north of the city.

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