While many people feel that building a children’s home is the solution to the area’s foster care crisis, these types of facilities are not immune to allegations of abuse.
Deputies responded to the Necco facility in Lawrence County for allegations that a staff member abused a resident.
The supervisor said a 13-year-old resident claimed a staff member placed an elbow in their chest and at the bottom of their throat while restraining them. The supervisor reported the child had been aggressive towards another resident.
Photos taken by the nursing staff showed redness on the chest but not on the throat. Several staff members said they didn’t see any unapproved behavior but one said they did see a staff member with a forearm and on the chest and neck of the child.
The incident was reported to the County CPS and to the Union County Department of Developmental Disabilities. The accused staff member had already left for the day, as had the administrative staff, so deputies could not get the necessary information to find and interview him at the time.
Deputies returned to the facility a few days later when a different child claimed another staff member had pushed them down and injured their back. However, since it was the staff member’s day off, officers were not able to speak to them regarding the allegation.
