Little Creek Behavioral Health

It was reported that on 03/10/24, resident was seen by DHS staff, and he was observed to have a bruised upper lip and right knee. The bruise on the knee was yellow and brown, indicating that it had been there a couple of days. He said that both of the injuries had been caused when he was placed in physical restraint by staff members. He was also noted to have slurred speech and he was disoriented, as to what time it was, and where he was. He said he had been placed on a new medication, by a doctor at the facility. Facility is required to make a request before placing him on medication and caseworker is to be notified when resident is placed in physical restraints. Neither of these was completed. Resident indicated that he had been placed in multiple physical restraints; he was so out of it that he couldn’t indicate when he had been placed in any of the restraints. A report was made to AR Child Abuse Hotline and accepted.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Per staff, the resident was involved in a physical altercation with peers on 3/7/24 and 3/8/24 prior to being restrained. Per nursing note after each restraint, no bruises were noted.

Licensing reviewed consent form that was signed by resident’s caseworker giving consent for Zyprexa. Per complaint, the caseworker stated she did not consent to the medication. Nurse Nedra informed Licensing that resident is also given a medication on the approved list for prevention of EPS.

The CACD case was found unsubstantiated.

Licensing received a complaint from resident’s caseworker, stating the resident alleged a staff member threw resident on the ground when she attempted to run off the unit on 3/3/24. Resident also reported that the other children at the facility have placed each other in the clothes dryers and that staff do not monitor the laundry room. She said the children put each other in the dryers when they get mad at each other. She said that she feels uncomfortable because only male staff members put her in restraints. A report was made to the AR Child Abuse Hotline and accepted.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Licensing visited the facility and reviewed the restraint packet and other documentation. Per documentation, staff member placed resident in a one person hold and escorted resident back to the unit. The timeframe was from 15:23 to 15:26. Program Coordinator requested a witness statement from staff member mentioned in the complaint.

Facility submitted ICA for staff member and it was approved by licensing. On 3/27/24, facility provided training documentation for staff member involved in incident.

The CACD case was found unsubstantiated.

Resident reported she was choked by staff during a physical hold on 2/27/24, resulting in her breathing being restricted, her face turning red, and him leaving marks on her neck. Accused staff has been placed on admin leave. Report was made to AR Child Abuse Hotline and accepted.

Licensing Specialist: Kendra Rice.

Facility reported that resident reported the incident while on a phone call. Facility also reported there is no camera footage of the incident due to camera footage is not available after 72 hours. Facility submitted an ICA for staff member involved.

Facility provided retraining documentation for staff member named in complaint on 3/13/24. Program Coordinator reviewed restraint packet and received documentation on 3/14/24.

4/23/24 – CACD case found unsubstantiated. This complaint has been unfounded by Licensing.