Officer Samuelson responded to Perimeter of the Ozarks to speak with 16 year old patient. Resident1 said there was an incident in which she was assaulted on Dec 4 (23-78333) and on Dec 10 (23-78341). On 12/4/23, Resident1 was in the Day Room Green Unit. Resident2 and Resident3 walked up to Resident1 and pulled her hair. They began hitting her in the back of the head and scratching her. Officer observed a scratch on her arm and took a photo. Resident1 said she was placed in a restraint by staff for fighting, but she was just trying to fight back to get the girls off of her.
Resident1 said she requested to press charges. At the time of incident, staff would not allow her to contact police and said they do not need to get involved. She still lives in the same wing as the other girls and sees them on a regular basis. Resident1 also said she feels like she is being denied her rights to access to contact CPS or her advocate.
Officer Samuelson received an e-mail from Sara Whorton (staff) on December 18 with the following statements: “Results regarding reported incidents: The first incident actually took place on 12/3/23 not 12/4. We do not have audio, but it can be seen on camera that the two other reported residents did walk up and start hitting Resident1 from behind. Staff intervened immediately but both reported residents did get several hits before they were able to be broken up. This took place at 18:28.”
Officer forwarded this case to Washington County Juvenile Prosecutors office for review of the charges of Battery 3rd Degree for Resident2 AND Resident3.