Author Topic: Spectrum Care Academy Inc. (KY)  (Read 1837 times)

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Offline hurrikayne

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Spectrum Care Academy Inc. (KY)
« on: November 29, 2008, 03:40:35 PM »
Suit against teen center where girl died sealed
The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A judge has sealed a lawsuit against a treatment center for teenage girls accused of being poorly run after the center settled with the family of a patient killed after running into traffic.

Adair Circuit Judge James G. Weddle sealed the file shortly after the suit against Spectrum Care Academy Inc., settled in October. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Spectrum requested the sealing of the file.

Stephen L. Hixson, the attorney for the estate of the dead girl, told Weddle at a hearing on Tuesday that the public has the right to see the file, but Weddle said he would seal it.

Spectrum's attorney, Michael A. Goforth, told Weddle the file contains details that should not be publicly available, such as financial information and names of young patients.

Weddle cut off additional arguments from Hixson, telling the attorney to put his claims in writing or appeal.

"I've heard all I'm going to hear today, thank you," Weddle said.

The lawsuit says Spectrum Care, which caters to girls 13 to 17, is one of 17 facilities in the state. The suit centered on the death of 16-year-old LaKeesha Cline. Cline was in treatment at Spectrum Care in 2004 for mental and emotional problems, including bipolar disorder and a history of suicide attempts.

The suit says Cline broke away from staff members walking her and other girls and ran into traffic, where she was hit by two vehicles. A coroner's report says she died of massive injuries.

Hixson said the case highlights larger problems with state regulation of such facilities, including a state law does not require them to carry liability insurance.

LaKeesha's survivors got less than half the amount they could have expected if Spectrum Care had had liability insurance, Hixson said.

Vikki Franklin, a spokeswoman for the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said officials are discussing the issues Hixson raised.

Cline's mother and grandmother sued Spectrum Care and its owner, Ben A. Arnold. The lawsuit alleged that, if Spectrum Care had handled LaKeesha properly, she would have been hospitalized in a secure psychiatric ward.

The family claims that Cline wasn't transferred to a hospital because Arnold had promised a Spectrum Care supervisor, Brandy Hancock, a bonus for keeping the beds full at the facility, which would increase state reimbursements.

The lawsuit claimed that was a conflict of interest for Hancock, who, as clinical director, made decisions on treatment. LaKeesha was scheduled to be released twice before her death, but Spectrum Care canceled her release because there was no patient lined up to fill that bed, the lawsuit charged.

Arnold said in a deposition that Cline wasn't kept at Spectrum because of financial considerations.
Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com

http://http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/606433.html
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Offline Anonymous

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Re: Spectrum Care Academy Inc. (KY)
« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2008, 06:31:36 PM »
Wiki updated. It seems that the research found an old case involving a female staff caring a little too much for the clients according to the police.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »