Inclusion Daily Express

April 14, 2008

Adolescent center to close amid reports of 'unlawful and irresponsible' behavior

By Dave Reynolds

San Jose, California - Starlight Adolescent Center, a locked psychiatric treatment facility for youths age 12 to 18, is closing its doors in June, the San Jose Mercury News reported last week.

In recent months, state officials cited the 36-bed institution for 14 violations that placed the youths in "immediate risk" and 12 other violations that posed potential harm - including one instance where a resident's arm was broken during a restraint, and another where a resident with an eating disorder lost 15 pounds over a short time.

Two months ago, the Mental Health Advocacy Project called Starlight's use of physical restraints and seclusion "unlawful and irresponsible" behavior, and cited the facility for 518 violations of state law.

On Sunday, the Mercury News followed up by interviewing former and current residents and employees. They confirmed that conditions at Starlight are even worse than reported - that violence is the norm at the for-profit center

One mother who had placed her 16-year-old son at Starlight last December showed a reporter photographs of injuries she said he sustained during a restraint, including a black eye, rug burns on his shoulder and wrist, and choke-like marks on his neck. She said the restraints started almost immediately, and that he was restrained every day for the last two weeks he was there.

"I want them to know they can't do this to kids," she said. "They're not animals."

Still, Nancy Pena, director of the Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health, which contracts with the center, and Mary Jane Gross, the founder and head of the company that owns Starlight, defended the institution's record and denied that the decision to close it had anything to do with the reports of abuse and violence.

Related:
"San Jose center for troubled teens closing abruptly" (San Jose Mercury News)
"Complaints of violence at San Jose center for troubled kids" (San Jose Mercury