Disability Rights Arkansas

Piney Ridge Treatment Center

*Photos taken by DRA staff during onsite monitoring visits. Photos reflect the most recent conditions observed by DRA staff but may not reflect the current conditions at the facility. If you are associated with a facility and have updated information or photos you would like to share, please contact DRA at [email protected]

Location: Fayetteville, AR                   Population Served: Children and adolescents ages 7-17 with sexually maladaptive behaviors and other co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

# of residents per unit: Up to 32 Residents per room: 1, 3 or 4 Capacity: 102

Contact with family (Calls and visit schedule): Typically, bi-weekly phone calls. Visits with family are scheduled (frequency or schedule not provided).

Restraint utilized? Yes Chemical Restraint utilized? Yes Seclusion utilized? Yes

Treatment Modalities:

Clinical Director: LPC's                    Therapists: 8 full-time therapists (2 LMSW, 1 LPC, 3 LAC, 2 LPC); 1 part-time/contract therapist (LAC)

Treatment modalities offered: TF-CBT, CBT and other modalities individualized for resident and needs.

# of individual therapy sessions/week: 1-2

# of group therapy sessions led by a licensed mental health professional/week: 3

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PRLU or OLTC

Medical, Notice of Incident

Resident was walking to get milk when he dropped his food in the cafeteria. Resident then started to walk back and forth. Staff asked resident to go back to the serving line to get a new tray. As resident was walking back, resident fell backwards and was struggling to keep his eyes open. Staff called for nurses. Nurses arrived to the cafeteria and assessed resident. APRN ordered resident be sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for an evaluation. Resident was transported to ACH and diagnosed with Orthostatic syncope and encouraged resident to drink more water. Resident returned to facility 2/2/24.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Bilateral x-ray was ordered due to swelling in the fingers. The resident stated he was playing football on 2/1/24. X-ray results: Left hand acute 3rd distal phalanx fracture. APRN ordered resident to be taken to Ozark Orthopaedics. The resident reported 2/10 pain and was given 400mg PO Ibuprofen. Resident transported to Ozark Orthopaedics by PRTC transport and returned with a splint and resident to follow up in one week.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation, Self-Harm

Client reported that a resident tried to hit him in the nose with a ball and said his nose hurt. He also said that his finger hurt as he hit the wall on an unknown day. He has a boxer fracture of the right hand and will receive necessary treatment.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident reported to nursing that on Saturday he was playing basketball and fell on his hand. On Sunday night it started hurting. X-ray was completed on Monday morning. X-ray shows acute fracture of right hand, fifth proximal phalanx. Resident was taken Ozark Orthopedics on 01/29/24, they placed a soft cast on his right hand and he will be seeing a hand specialist on 2/2/24.

PRLU or OLTC

Complaint, Notice of Incident, Visit Compliance Report

Complaint received regarding facility: Guardian reported there have been issues with peers stealing from her son, kids fighting kids, and her son reported a nurse physically assaulted a peer and called him a dumbass. Her son has reported unsafe environment, that there are roaches, and the staff have yelled at him a lot. Guardian has heard grown adults screaming at kids while talking with her son on set days.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

1/30/24 – Licensing Specialist conducted interviews with residents regarding complaint. Residents were interviewed about the presence of pests, altercations among peers, and theft among peers. A buildings and grounds walkthrough was completed of all living units, the cafeteria, and the day rooms.

  • Of the 5 residents interviewed, 4 stated they have personally had items stolen or heard of others having items stolen.
  • Two residents reported the evening nurse “pushed resident and cursed while yelling at the resident”. Licensing Specialist made a hotline report concerning this information. The report was screened out.

2/01/24 – Facility staff stated after looking into the complaint they spoke with two other residents that were not interviewed at the first visit. The residents both remember the incident. Resident told staff that the nurse yelled and cursed at Resident and “shoulder-checked” Resident into the door jam. Resident said he heard Nurse curse and yell at resident, but is unsure how she pushed because of the angle he was sitting at. Licensing spoke with nurse over phone, who stated she thinks she shoulder checked and cursed at the resident saying “dammit”, but does not fully remember the altercation.

  • Facility cited: 905.4 and 109.1g: Interviews with residents and staff revealed that a nurse at the facility engaged in unprofessional conduct and inappropriate behavior management practices with a resident.
  • The staff member was terminated.
  • The licensing complaint is founded.

PRLU or OLTC

Elopement, Notice of Incident

On 1/7/2024 at approximately 1700, resident was outside and jumped the fence by the garden area and he then climbed up the roof and went to the gas station by Vantage Point on Zion and Crossover St. The police and staff caught up with him at a gas station and he was returned to PRTC within approximately 20 minutes.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident reported to APRN that he bent his finger back while playing basketball. X-ray was done in house. Resident’s X-ray of his right 5th finger came back positive for fracture. APRN notified and gave order to send patient to Ozark Ortho to evaluate and treat. Injury happened yesterday when resident hit the ball with his fingers as per APRN assessments. He went to Ozark Ortho on same day and they placed a soft splint on two fingers.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

Residents started a verbal altercation with one another and faced each other. Resident1 was antagonizing Resident2 and hit the peer in the face, and they started hitting each other. Staff was able to separate, and Resident1 was restrained for safety and the other resident was escorted off of the unit. The next day Resident1 reported to APRN facial pain, so he received an x-ray of his nose on 12/18/2023 which was negative for fracture. Both residents were placed on precautions to be reassessed in 24 hours.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Resident became angry at another resident and hit the wall aggressively. He reported pain in his hand and obtained an x-ray that did not show a fracture. However, because of the swelling, the x-ray will be repeated in a week. The 2nd x-ray confirmed no fracture.

PRLU or OLTC

Visit Compliance Report

Licensing Specialist: Clayton DeBoer

Buildings & Grounds conducted for Piney Ridge Annex (Crossover Unit) Building from 8:00AM-9:30AM. Census: 0.

No noted issues other than per Justin Hoover of Piney Ridge, bedding (sheets, pillows, covers) will be provided prior to occupancy.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Resident reported that he was having pain 8/10 to his right hand. It was reported that he was upset, hitting walls. Nursing notified APRN, x-ray was obtained in house and findings show acute fracture to mid-shift of 4th metacarpal. Orders received to take resident to Physician specialty for confirmation. Resident was taken via our staff to hospital. Fracture was confirmed and soft cast applied to right hand. Resident to follow-up with Dr. David Yakin in 1-2 weeks. We will treat with Tylenol PRN for pain.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident got his finger smashed in a door on the unit accidentally. He was taken to Children’s Hospital by staff, where he was diagnosed with a fracture to finger. A soft cast was placed before resident returned to the facility. He will be given Ibuprofen as needed for pain. He will follow-up with APRN on site and then we will schedule follow-up at Ozark orthopedics as directed.

PRLU or OLTC

Acute Placement, Notice of Incident

Resident started disrupting the class and other residents were ushered out of the classroom. She started drawing obscene pictures, making obscene statements, stripped in the classroom, stood in the teacher’s chair and forced herself to urinate on the chair. Because this has been a continuation of behaviors, the medical director was contacted and he directed that she be assessed at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Because we determined that it was not safe for staff to transport the resident by company vehicle, EMS was contacted and they along with a staff member transported the resident to ACH. While at ACH she started to make comments to kill herself and was eventually admitted and transported to Conway Behavioral Health for acute care. It is not anticipated that she will return to PRTC.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Resident was upset with a direction from staff and attempted to lock herself into the bathroom. Staff redirected and opened the door and resident had started to drink some soap and the soap was taken away. She reported that she drank the soap and some deodorant, and she was placed on self-harm precautions after assessed.

A little while later she broke her zipper and swallowed part of it before staff could retrieve it. APRN was notified and ordered an x-ray. After the x-ray, she was complaining of her stomach hurting. Results of x-ray came back and showed zipper in upper abdomen. APRN was notified and she ordered that resident be taken to ACH ER. X-ray completed at ER, and she was discharged at 0017 on 12/3/23. She is to follow up with APRN, be on liquid diet to be assessed daily, she was placed self-harm precautions and soap to be placed on wash cloth to be assessed every 24 hours.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

Resident1 was attempting to antagonize Resident2 by being close to him. Resident2 became upset and hit Resident1 in the nose. They were hitting each other while staff members were physically intervening for safety. Resident1 had a nosebleed and the APRN was notified and ordered an x-ray. X-ray results: Non-displaced fracture of R nasal bone. He will follow up with the APRN today related to this injury.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident rolled his left ankle while playing outside. No bruising or swelling noted. An x-ray was ordered and on 11/30/23 the results were negative for fracture. No additional treatment needed at this time.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Altercation

Two residents were playing basketball and they started to push each other. Resident1 kicked Resident2 on the face. Staff stepped in between and body blocked both residents until they were calm. Residents will be placed on 24-hour assault precaution. Guardians were notified. Guardian of one resident stated that he had a hairline fracture from ear to ear in the past and wanted us to keep an eye on it. APRN was notified and requested an x-ray. Mobile x-ray was performed on 11/27/23 and was negative for fracture. Followed up with APRN.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Peer Sexual Contact, Visit Compliance Report

Resident1 reported that earlier that day, she and Resident2 were sitting beside each other in the dayroom and Resident2 performed digital penetration on her by putting her finger down her pants. She also reported that it occurred briefly again about an hour later on the unit. Internal review including camera footage shows what appears to be consensual sexual behavior to include touching and a few kisses. The residents were placed on no interactions and a 6-foot intervention with staff. Both resident’s primary therapist was made aware of the allegation and guardians. Resident1 made statements that she did not want to engage in the sexual behavior and it was not consensual. The hotline was contacted on 11/28/23 and it was accepted for investigation to CACD. On 11/28/23, Deidre Uselton from ASP came to the facility and viewed camera footage and interviewed residents. She stated that she would be unable to substantiate the behavior as non-consensual. Counseling will occur with the staff members on the unit at the time of the incident. In addition, the Program Manager will teach additional training on active observation with new hires and review with present employees during daily safety huddle debriefings.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

Video footage reviewed shows the two residents sitting in the day room in chairs doing an activity on dry erase boards. The staff person supervising the residents can be seen behind the residents approximately 7 feet away. Resident proceeds to engage in sexual interaction by placing her hand on her thigh and then down the front of her pants. The residents have their backs to the staff person and use the dry erase boards to conceal their actions. During the incident the staff person can be seen doing visual checks on the residents. The staff person could not see the sexual contact as the residents are heavy set and were blocking her view from the back, and utilizing the dry erase boards to to conceal their actions from the front.

Video footage for another incident involving the two residents was reviewed. The video footage shows the two residents seated against the wall with the supervising staff approximately 4 feet away. Resident leans into peer and kisses her on the mouth. The staff person did not see the interaction because she was speaking with another resident and resident’s head was blocking her field of view. Staff can be seen interacting with the residents and actively supervising.

Licensing and CACD unsubstantiated.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Self-Harm

Resident reported pain in his right hand after he got upset and hit a wall. Nursing assessed and he was treated for the pain and given ice for swelling. APRN was notified and we received an order for an x-ray. Mobile x-ray came to facility to perform x-ray and late on 11/20/23. X-ray of the right hand showed angulated acute small finger fracture. We will take resident to Ozark Orthopedics today, 11/22/23 as a walk-in for additional treatment.

Police Report

Suicide Threat

Resident at facility broke open a nail polish glass bottle and used the glass to cut her wrists. Unable to control bleeding. Transfer of care.

PRLU or OLTC

Notice of Incident, Suicide Attempt, Visit Compliance Report

Resident had become upset prior to the incident related to a food sensitivity that staff was discussing with her. Resident appeared to calm down and was painting her nails with another resident, then she broke the glass nail polish bottle and started to self-harm by cutting her left arm. There was scant bleeding and staff called for nurse support in the gym. Staff attempted to remove glass, and when the nurses arrived at the scene, resident then cut her left forearm deeper causing a round 3 cm deep laceration and in the process also cutting her right finger. Resident was restrained and nurses applied pressure and first aid was administered to the resident’s left arm and right finger. Resident was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center ER and sutures were applied to her lacerations. Upon her return to PRTC, a referral to Conway Behavioral Healthcare was made and she was accepted for admission in the evening of 11-15-23.

Licensing Specialist: Jarred Parnell

A visit was conducted to review video footage of the reported incident. In the video, the resident can be seen sitting on the basketball court near the basketball goal painting her nails with another resident. The resident proceeds to break a bottle of nail polish and began to self harm. Staff member notices the resident has a piece of the glass bottle. From 12:43 until 12:50 when a nurse entered the room and restrained the resident the resident had possession of the broken bottle. Nursing staff who entered the room were unaware the resident had a piece of glass. Staff interacting with resident prior to the nursing staff entering the room, were aware the resident was self harming with a piece of glass.

Facility cited 1007.2: The resident had the piece of glass for 8 minutes before the staff removed the glass from the resident’s possession.

Resident was moved to acute care and facility has removed all glass nail polish bottles as part of the safety plan. Staff were also educated on supervising residents during gym time and advised not to participate playing sports with the residents.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident was outside playing a game with his peers in the gaga pit when the resident ran and tripped hitting his face into the side of the gaga pit. Nurse assessment: Resident had busted his mouth, moderate amount of bleeding noted, and had a 3cm laceration on his bottom lip with a puncture wound from his top teeth. The resident’s top teeth were also chipped and broken from the gum-line.

APRN Karen Reynolds gave orders to send resident to Arkansas Children’s Hospital of Northwest Arkansas for further assessment. While at the emergency room the MD at Children’s Hospital noted resident to have a superficial lip laceration. No stitches required, leave wound to self-heal. He will be following up with a local dentist.

PRLU or OLTC

Accidental Injury, Notice of Incident

Resident was seen by APRN on 11/9/23 complaining of hurting his hand a few days ago after playing football outside with his peers. An x-ray was ordered and came back as possible fracture . APRN notified and gave order to Ozark Orthopaedics of Fayetteville Arkansas to evaluate and treat. He received a finger splint and will follow-up with hand specialist.

Police Report

Missing Person

Officers responded in reference to 3 juveniles that escaped from Piney Ridge. Staff captured all 3 juveniles and officers responded to location of staff and children.

Police Report

Criminal Mischief

On November 5, 2023, at approximately 4:40 PM, unit 1386 was parked at Piney Ridge located at 4253 N. Crossover Road after transporting three juvenile runaways back to the facility (Incident 2023-74373).

While officers spoke with staff to create a plan for the three juveniles to be removed from the patrol unit and into the facility without running away, two of them began bending the back metal partition in the patrol unit. On the in car Axon Video, both subjects can be seen grabbing the top of the metal partition, and bending it downward to gain access to the rear storage area of the patrol unit. Once they had bent the partition down, both subjects grabbed loaded magazines from a carrier vest and concealed them in their pants. As staff and officers were getting the subjects out of the vehicle, staff noticed the bulge in their pants and searched them discovering the magazines. All magazines were returned and no other items were located missing or on the subjects.

Citation Issued to both juveniles for Criminal Mischief 1st Degree (Felony).